Public commenter urges Warrensburg to adopt ‘canine bill of rights’ after dog’s seizure and euthanasia

Gail Nelson, speaking during public comment, urged the Warrensburg Town Board to adopt what she described as a "canine bill of rights" after alleging her dog, Melvin, was seized without appropriate procedure and later euthanized.

Nelson said Melvin was taken from private property by an unvetted civilian, transported without appropriate safety equipment and confined at an SBCA facility, where she said facility director Kathy Colletier denied the owners access despite the owners providing vaccination records within 72 hours. "Melvin was euthanized the day after we attempted to pick him up," Nelson said, and she said the facility later acknowledged the actions in depositions. She said the town's dog-control officer was not involved or informed of the seizure.

Nelson asked the board to include mandatory documentation, full transparency, audit cameras and a 72-hour holding period in the shared-services animal-control agreement among Warrensburg, Owen and Lake George so such an outcome would not recur. "These days of unchecked procedures are over," she said, urging the board to publish the proposed canine bill of rights online and to monitor compliance going forward.

The transcript records Nelson’s allegations and her requested reforms; the board did not record a formal response or a motion on animal-control procedures during the meeting. Other public commenters that night included Jason Smith, who explained a $15,000 bid he submitted for an Alden Avenue lot, and Joyce Reed, who asked whether the town would bill contractors for water used in a demolition cleanup.

The board’s next steps on animal-control oversight were not recorded in the meeting minutes provided in the transcript.