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Council discusses $2,500-a-year boarding contract with Winchester to hold stray dogs 24'48 hours
Summary
The council considered drafting a contract with Winchester to board stray animals for 24 to 48 hours, with county assistance for vicious animals; members asked staff to draft an agreement and check terms and pricing.
At the June 3 meeting the council discussed an intergovernmental arrangement to board stray animals at Winchester for an annual fee (a proposal of $2,500 was mentioned) so the town could shelter stray dogs for 24 to 48 hours to give owners time to claim them.
A council member said the arrangement would be useful because the town currently lacks long-term sheltering options and Winchester would assist with vicious animals and provide trained personnel and equipment. "We'll keep the dog in our facility for 24 to 48 hours to make sure it's not [claimed]," one council member said while describing the proposed holding policy.
Council members discussed transport logistics, whether Winchester would accept unlimited calls, and how fees at the shelter affect owners who reclaim animals. The group reported the town's average annual dog-capture volume at less than 10 and said the proposed annual fee could be appropriate for the expected call volume, though the precise fee and terms remained to be negotiated.
Next steps: Staff was asked to draft a contract with Winchester, clarify response limits and fees, and return to the council with a proposed agreement.
