Animal-control officer outlines pound rules, impound fees and quarantine procedures

The committee heard a detailed animal-control update from the code enforcement/animal-control officer covering intake, care, fees and quarantine rules.

The officer said dog-admissions were low for the month and that reclaimed animals made up the majority of intakes. The Sawyer County Dog Pound holds strays for seven days while staff check microchips, post animals on social media and attempt owner contact; after seven days the Humane Society coordinates transfers for adoption if the animals are not reclaimed. "We have a 7 day stray hold that we have to do for those dogs," the officer said.

Impound fees were described as a $20 initial impound fee and $20 for each additional day; owners who require veterinary care must reimburse the county. For dog-bite incidents, the officer described two outcomes: a home quarantine if the dog is up to date on rabies, or confiscation and a 10-day quarantine at the pound with three veterinary checks to ensure neurological health. The officer said seizure authority is used in serious abuse or neglect cases and added that the pound staff provide daily care including food, water and shelter during holds.

Committee members asked operational questions about staffing levels at the pound and were told a kennel attendant covers most open hours while the officer covers certain days; no policy changes were proposed in the meeting.