Brochure unleashes

WELLSVILLE Dog owners now can get their questions answered in one easy step with a new brochure unveiled at Wednesday night's Village Council meeting by Animal Control Officer Leslie Dean.

Dean said she has been working on the brochure since being hired last year so people have answers to their most frequently asked questions.

The multiple-fold brochure includes information on both village and state laws pertaining to loud or barking dogs; dogs defecating on public or private property; dogs running at large; seizing and impound regulations and fees; and pit bull descriptions and requirements, which are different than for other breeds.

Also included in the brochure are phone numbers for reporting lost dogs or those running at large, as well as contact information for the county dog pound/adoption center and county Humane Society.

Always in need of donations for the local shelter, Dean also included methods by which donations can be made and a list of items needed.

The brochures will be available at Village Hall, and Dean said she also will distribute them when she makes calls.

Dean also reported that she has applied for a $5,000 capital improvement grant through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for the cost of installing water and a drainage system at the village dog shelter.

Saying those services are important for disease control among the dog population, Dean said it is difficult to maintain cleanliness at the shelter without water and proper drainage.

The grant application was completed Monday.

Mayor Joe Surace commended Dean for her work on the brochure, saying she did a "great job."

In her monthly report, Dean noted 18 calls in February and the need for Kuranda beds, dog leashes and collars, bleach, blankets/towels and rawhide chews for large breed dogs.

In other matters Wednesday, council:

- Learned from fire Chief Bill Smith that bids for demolition of six dilapidated structures were received and he is waiting for county commissioners to award contracts.

- Added Timothy Long to a vacancy on the current paid-called firefighter list.

- Heard a report from Brian Wallace regarding repairs to the gazebo, which he said will begin when the weather breaks, with several unions offering assistance and a completion date anticipated prior to the All-School Reunion.

- Agreed with Councilman Joe Soldano that the electric company should be called to install a light at the Melvin Newlin Memorial on state Route 7, reaffirming an earlier motion that was adopted.

- Heard from VFW representative Don Brown that new parking signs have been ordered for in front of the post home.

jgilbert@mojonews.com