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Residents push city for update after month without animal-control services
Summary
Residents urged the Harper Woods City Council for a progress report on animal-control services and the status of GPAS after about a month without formal animal services; staff said preliminary discussions with a neighboring jurisdiction are ongoing but the matter remains on hold.
Residents told the Harper Woods City Council on Feb. 10 that the city has gone about a month without formal animal-control services and pressed the council for an update on plans to replace services previously provided by GPAS (Greater Port Area Shelter). Kristen Olin Sullivan of Country Club Drive, Juanita Musick of Woodland and other residents described safety and cost concerns and urged the council to report on progress.
The matter matters to residents because they said the absence of an animal-control provider leaves people and pets at risk, and because some nearby animal-welfare organizations do not serve Harper Woods. "Harper Woods has already gone 1 month with no animal services," said Juanita Musick, adding that the Michigan Humane Society and other organizations “only serve Detroit residents only.” Musick also said Harper Woods has a shelter but that most shelters require fees and that the city may pay more to obtain a new agreement for annual services.
Other speakers described practical problems they have observed. Teresa Foster of Woodland urged clarity on enforcement and the K-9 unit, saying the city’s escrow of about $50,000 “won’t last very long” and asking whether a nonprofit would be needed to sustain a K-9 unit. Susan Coleman, a longtime GPAS volunteer, told the council GPAS had been “excellent to the city for so many years” and urged police leadership be consulted about whether to continue working with the nonprofit.
Several residents said they were alarmed about loose dogs around children and in neighborhoods. "Having dogs loose in the neighborhood is very dangerous," Coleman said. Dawn Brown of Fleetwood Drive said she does not support animals being sent to a kill shelter and urged the council to avoid that outcome.
When asked for a status update during the public-comment period, a staff member said the city "has had some preliminary discussions with the neighboring community," and that the issue remains on hold. Mayor Bridal told residents the council is "working as fast as we can to resolve the GPAS dilemma" and that the city will post updates to the city website; she also said the council expects to have more definite answers by the March 3 meeting if not sooner.
No formal council action on animal-control services was recorded at the meeting. Multiple residents asked for a progress report and indicated they expected the council or staff to return with a clearer timeline and plan before the next meeting.
Ending: The council did not adopt a new animal-control contract at the Feb. 10 meeting; staff described only preliminary talks with a neighboring jurisdiction and said the issue remains on hold. The city said updates will be posted on the city website and that more definitive information may be available at the March 3 meeting.
