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Resident urges council to review Burlington Animal Shelter practices after found dog was turned away
Summary
Resident Laurie Arnold described being told by animal control and the Burlington Animal Shelter to release a found dog on the street because the shelter was full, and asked the council for clarification and a staff report on shelter capacity and policy.
Laurie Arnold told the Burlington City Council she found an unneutered male pit bull running down Front Street, could not identify an owner, and was told by animal control and shelter staff that the Burlington Animal Shelter was full and she should release the dog where she found it.
"They said that's the policy," Arnold said, describing calls to animal control and the police and unsuccessful attempts to reunite the dog with an apparent owner. She said she was told to 'release' the dog, which she found unacceptable.
Arnold said the shelter had recently begun accepting animals from neighboring Graham and questioned whether that changed the shelter's capacity to help Burlington residents. "If they can't help the dogs in Burlington, why are they adding Graham dogs to the shelter?" she asked.
Council members thanked Arnold for raising the concern and asked staff to pass the report along. At least one council member requested a future work session report covering whether the shelter is full regularly and whether the city is effectively responding when residents find stray animals. Council agreed to follow up with staff and flagged the city manager and the stormwater department for other items raised during the meeting.
The council did not take formal action on operational shelter policy during the meeting but asked staff to report back at a future work session on capacity and response practices.
