Robbin - please do! He needs some water - I got the call from the constituent but i'm tied up at work. I also forwarded to animal control and left messages (as did the constituent). keep me posted if anything changes - 203-309-2737

On my way...with water & I'll grab some dog biscuits...

Spoke to the the supervisor at animal control. Complaint received.

Thank you for looking into the safety of this dog. Someone from ACES got him/her a blanket and bowl of water. Found out dog belongs to a homeless man. Hope this is not a "Mr. Bojangles" scenario.

Thank you Sargeant! I was having trouble reachign animal control - and than you Robbin/ACES -

MableX - what's a "Mr. Bojangles" scenario? I ask b/c... well... my cat is a rescue named "Mr. Bojangles" and he was left on West Rock Ave after the tenant moved out back in 2008.

I am with dog...female...i brought food...she was hungry...very tame dog but definitely happy for attention, food & water...will wait for animal control...

see you in a minute robbin

Doug, the "Mr. Bojangles" reference is from a 70's song made famous by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. It's about a homeless man who danced, had a dog. dog up and died and after 20 years the man still grieves for his dog. . Sammy Davis Jr. Also recorded the song. I am often criticized for mentioning things out of context. But info in my mind processes homeless man + dog = Mr. Bojangles. So funny your cat has the same name.

I only know of the Robbie Williams version... which I love for obvious reasons.

Animal Control Officer came and retrieved dog. Thanks to ACES and Robbin of Chapel Street for tending dog

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I'm ancient. Who is Robbie Wiliams? The song was written by Jerry Jeff Walker. Now I can't get the song out of my mind.

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Doug, Robbin, and all those that helped in this situation. You guys are awesome - I work at a vet and far too often come across situations that are... less than ideal (i guess to be pc about it). it takes big people to help out those that cant help themselves. just thought id throw out some appreciation

I was happy to help...and it was nice to see so many other people helping out as well...great neighborhood involvement...another great thing about New Haven! The officer (Lutkowski?) was familiar with the dog and said it belonged to a homeless man, and well taken care of normally - she found it odd the dog was left since midnight , so perhaps something happened to the guy. But Animal Control responded pretty quickly - and took her with them, leaving a note for the homeless guy if he returns - and, I suppose, if he can read. Doug - thanks, as always for getting immediately involved...and on a sidenote...perhaps Mr. Bojangles can be your campaign theme song...the original version - which I too know quite well...lolol!

And great thanks to New Haven Police Officer Stefani Johnson the Municipal Control Officer for the City of New Haven for all of the work you do with so little!!!

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Yes - many, many thanks to the officer that responded -- GREATLY appreciated! New Haven Animal Control Dept. deals with some very tough, tragic, situations and my hat is off to them! I'll be supporting the New Haven Animal shelter tonight at the Yappy Hour fundraiser in front of Claire's/Basta from 6-8pm.

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This same dog was tied up on Friday evening August 30th to the side door of Creative Arts Workshop. We called police and animal control to no avail. Eventually a young man came to get the dog. He said he was visiting his grandmother in the public housing building at the corner of Orange and Audubon and they dont let him bring the dog into the building. I think there is more to this story since I saw her after this first incident was reported. We should keep a look out for her in the neighborhood.

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Anyone remember the David Bromberg version? Most beautiful acoustic guitar solo I think I've ever heard.

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Great thing.
ok is it just me...or could that dog have belonged to someone that goes to ace's that is homeless? Have to ask. Maybe a note should be left were the door was? This may be the young persons only friend and protection

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@guest-

Robbin mentioned in a comment that Animal Control left a note should an owner return to that location!

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thanks missed that Isa!

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The Bromberg Mr. Bojangles is the most heartfelt version. After the election, how about it being New Haven's official theme song?

Closing this again since the issue has been addressed :).

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Thank you to the people that have helped this poor dog. Hopefully he's in a caring environment now.

I hope someone adopts the dog and is not euthanized

Doug can we get a suggestion as to what residents can do to help get an additional animal control officer or address the budget concerns associated with the deficiency of this much needed and imperative part of our City??
Many thanks to Animal Control as they have their hands full. or should I say hand.

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Thank you for handling! Heartbreaking!

You can make suggestions here: http://www.dougward7.com/suggestions

And I'll bring them to the board. Thanks!

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Let's be clear here. Because the dog was removed (i;m IN animal rescue) does not mean this issue was fixed! If she was taken to fournier st, I can PROMISE you she would have fared FAR better on the streets, or being put down. NH DOES NOT FEED THEIR DOGS enough. At The ofc in charge's instruction so they don't have to clean up too much mess. I know this to be fact, as I have seen it for years, and though it does seem a little bit better in the last 6 mos, I reiterate, She would have been better off left to her own devices to survive. And now what? do you honestly think any time in that cold, blanketless, heartless, shelter will be anything but torturous? Until a year from now when she's finally euthanized? DON"T believe me? go there, repeatedly. See what happens to those poor souls

@DC Good spirited folks did the best they knew how to do under the circumstamces. Rebuke it way out of line. Chiming in after the fact with venomous know it all hysteria is utterly inane. Please think things through before scalding kind and empathetic folks to death.
Whom did you go out of your way to help today...and were you blistered because someone thought you didn't go out and research for months before taking action?
Where's your soul?

I agree with DC. They often put any pit-part pooch down. It's very sad!

glad to know there are people with a heart out there. i work at at a vets office with my wife and have gotten very close to animals. now we should shut down all the puppy mills!!!.

I'm confused as to why this was featured in the SeeClickFix email as a positive story. There remains the possibility that a man had his dog taken away, and/or the dog may have been taken to a yes-kill shelter. Can we get some followup from the people who seem to have been there when the animal control officers were there? Has this dog been reunited with her owner? Has the owner gotten support or help if he is homeless or needing help? And, perhaps most importantly, what else can we all do to help?!

Oh, no- the dog was taken to the Fournier Street shelter? Pits or pit mixes are nearly always put down- and quickly. This rescue is really a march towards a quick death. I live near the shelter and I see the smoke from the crematory- I saw it today, in fact.

I've heard the rumor about the lack of food at the shelter. I don't know if it's true, but I found it disturbing to read about here. I wish someone with authority would look into it.

This issue was brought to my attention because of comments made in this forum and I felt the need to respond.

@DC I ask, do you or have you ever worked at the shelter? I have had a staff of 4 people to cover 7 days a week for the majority of the past 10 years. Unless you are the fifth person that was escorted from the position then how can you know anything for a fact? I don't know what rescue you claim to represent but your attitude is not one that would be accepted into my wonderful group of volunteers that truly dedicate themselves to helping our homeless and abandoned animals. Don't go there you tell the folks, Why? Those poor souls you speak do not need to be in any shelter, they NEED homes and the only way they will get a home is if people visit them.

@Ellen if you would like to visit OUR shelter you will see that 95 percent of our adoptable animals are Pitbulls or Pit part mixes awaiting new homes, not being euthanized as they walk in the door just because of their breed.....They are great companions.

@ all others, we are the 2nd largest municipal shelter in the state of CT. We can physically house 65 dogs and 32 cats. We currently have over 70 dogs (which means we have several dogs sharing our small office space). All animals are vaccinated upon intake and are examined by the contracted Veterinarian every Tuesday. They are advertised in the NH REG and their owners have 7 days to reclaim them. If they are not claimed by their owner they are evaluated so they can be paired properly with a new family. There is an $80 adoption fee that covers the vaccinations and having the animal spayed or neutered prior to going home. There is an additional fee payable to the Vet for a heartworm test(dogs), pain meds and antibiotics after surgery when you pick your new family member up from the vet.

We are a municipal shelter NOT a private rescue or a No kill facility that has the option to screen the animals they receive. All of the animals we receive are either abandoned or have become homeless, we are not accepting voluntary placements. We cannot adopt out dangerous animals( nor can we house them indefinitely) and our CITY budget does not allow to treat terminally ill or severely injured animals that may cost several thousand dollars to treat. Some adoptable animals do deteriorate in our environment so we network with rescue groups or smaller shelters to pull the animal into foster homes or quieter facilities. If no one is able to help, the animal will not be allowed to suffer (we must follow the same law as everyone else).

Are we understaffed, YES, but we work hard caring for our animals,feeding, cleaning, triage and daily care of sick animals as well as assisting the public with complaints, introducing animals to potential adopters, school tours, food assistance and referrals for rehoming pets, just to name a few. We do not have a receptionist so we must answer the phone and return all calls when time allows. We do not close for lunch as similar agencies do and our breaks are when we can get them. We make every attempt to address everyone's complaint, issue or concern.

Anyone that wishes can help by spreading the word that their are many animals in need of loving homes that can be found at the New Haven Animal Shelter. We also accept food donations, towels, blankets, biscuits, kitty treats and durable toys.

If you are interested in visiting the shelter we are open to the public MON-SAT 12:30-4:30
The shelter is located at 81 Fournier St New Haven CT 06511

You can see some of our adoptable pets as well as volunteer opportunities by visiting the Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter website at www.findafriendforlife.org
You can follow the FOTNHAS and our pets on their Facebook site :
(copy and paste in your search window)
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Friends-of-the-New-Haven-Animal-Shelter/150795181604282

New Haven Animal Shelter
(203)946-8110 office......(203)946-7495 fax
New Haven Police
non emergency (203)946-6316
True life threatening calls dial 911

Now here's the update.......Five-Year-Old "Lady", who is in great shape, was reclaimed by her owner the following day. He gave a physical address but we believe he is homeless. "Lady" was picked up again a week later when she was found tied behind another location. He sent a friend in to confirm she was at the shelter and asked that we find her a home. She is a happy dog and it is quite evident that her owner loved her as she shows it in her temperament. She will soon be placed for adoption and maybe DC can recommend a new family for her.
Thank you all for being patient,caring and assisting.
-Officer Stephani Johnson NHPD
NHAS MACO

back @ AT yes you did see smoke..When anyone calls about a dead skunk, raccoon, or domestic animal in the road it comes to the shelter to be cremated....which is part of my job, unless you would like to volunteer to do it. I wasn't going to address the food issue because it is utter nonsense that we would provide extraordinary medical care and unlimited housing for animals that we supposedly don't feed.
As you stated "you heard a rumor" about the food but you made a statement as if fact that it is a march toward a quick death. The only way to become informed is to educate yourself, visit the shelter, and not rely on rumor.
The original poster or admin may close this issue..Lady and all others at the shelter are safe.
Officer Stephani Johnson

Thank you Stephani for the update. We all appreciate the work that people like you do for the four footed citizens of this country. I suggest that those who are most critical of shelters get involved in one locally and offer their time to help alleviate the burden of the workers or contribute in other ways. Just complaining is not helping.

This is a really futile, unproductive debate over whether to take a poor, neglected dog to a bad shelter or leave it homeless on the street. Criticizing someone for opting for the shelter doesn't get us anywhere. Perhaps this feedback would be more meaningful directed to the city, animal rights organizations and the shelter itself. I'm sure plenty of people in this chain would be more than willing to help with a letter writing campaign, heightening public attention, etc. Let's try to work together on an issue we clearly all care about rather than against one another.

If people had a little, I mean a wee bit of humor, maybe New Haven wouldn't be ranked the 3rd most unfriendly place in the nation. Cambridge has the Lampoon, New Haven has Puritan backlash.

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Wow, interesting conversation. I was going to give a thumbs up to DC and Kristen's comments and then I read Stephanie Johnson's comments. I too was concerned that being picked up by Animal Control was nothing to celebrate. Thanks Stephanie for clarifying.

Yes Stephanie, we should educate ourselves about this whole issue. I will pass along something I participated in recently titled Canine Behavior and Acoustics. It was hosted by ASPCA.org. And the speaker was Patricia McConnell, a PhD, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and dog trainer. She shares the latest research on the impact of acoustics in shelters and how some shelters are using this research to help improve the lives of the dogs who are housed there. She also talks about shelters that are starting to allow multiple dogs stay together ( carefully placed in small groups) and how much happier the dogs are with this arrangement. Lots of good info for people who work in that situation.

My interest: my husband and I work with three animal rescue groups doing various things as volunteers. We have always found the shelters to be filled with very caring people who work with rescue groups and do everything possible to find a person, family, or rescue group that will adopt or rescue dogs. But there are horror stories too about shelters. All are not the same.

I am about to take my first step toward volunteering at a shelter. Baby steps for me, a little at a time.... Thank you for sharing, Stephanie. Italians a much better picture in my mind of what to expect. Here are some links if you are interested in that webinar. The affect of acoustics help make going into a shelter a more positive experience for the primates who visit. :-).

They have archived it. It is only 60 minutes.

http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/aspca-webinar-canine-behavior-and-acoustics

http://www.aspcapro.org/search/index/Acoustics%20and%20canine%20behavior

Best wishes to you and your workers and volunteers.

PS a happy ending would be folks in your area dropping off some food or items in need there.
A happy ending would be a local person taking lady for a walk a few times a week.
A happy ending would be showing your support in some way to their mission of trying to save these animals....

Bless you for sharing.

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