Elmira animal control officer details tickets and impoundments as Town residents press enforcement

The Town Board heard an animal-control update June 10 from Amie Detota, City of Elmira Animal Control Officer, after resident complaints about loose dogs on Jackson Creek Road and elsewhere in the Town.

Detota told the board that on May 18 eight appearance tickets were issued to a single individual, Dakota Ferry, and described repeated impoundments and fee structures. She said one dog previously impounded on June 1 was not redeemed and has since been adopted. Detota explained Elmira Animal Control’s hours and said staff will only respond after hours in emergency cases or by police request; she said the county dispatch center sometimes determines whether a call qualifies as an emergency. She also said Animal Control will not respond to reports posted on the "Breesport Page" Facebook group.

Attorney John P. Mustico referenced Article 7 of New York’s Agriculture & Markets law, noting procedural limits (for example, warrant constraints) and suggested the potential to amend local penalties. Residents attending the meeting asked about enforcement follow-through when tickets are issued but defendants do not appear in court, leash-law enforcement, and how to report wildlife nuisance issues. Several residents said they had provided video evidence of violations and asked what more the Town can do to assist Animal Control.

The board did not take new enforcement action at the meeting; the Town asked that concerns be directed to the appropriate animal-control channels and considered whether local ordinance changes or coordination with the Village might be needed.