Pet Care

Bay Village has implemented a new way of dealing with issues of animal control. Here are answers to frequently asked questions:

1. Is the kennel open and will it remain open? Yes, the kennel is open and will remain open, but for dogs only after July 15, 2011.
2. Are we building a new kennel? Due to an EPA-mandated truck-washing station to prevent road salt, etc. from getting into our creeks, we will need to eventually move the kennel from its present location at the Service Garage and are considering a move to the Police Station. No decisions have been made nor is there a deadline for any such decision or move.
3. Why is the Animal Control Officer position being eliminated? City Council wanted additional budget cuts due to reduced revenues, state reductions to local government funding, and the impending elimination of the estate tax. Together, Council and the Administration decided that having our own ACO position was a luxury we could no longer afford. We will continue to refer residents to private trapping companies for animal issues not covered by the County.
4. If my dog escapes, what do I do? First, call the Police Department at 871-1234 and describe your pet. Your dog may be in our kennel or being held by another resident and the Police Department will be happy to facilitate your reunion. If your dog has been missing for 24 hours, the Bay Village Police Department will refer you to the County Animal Shelter as the County Dog Warden picks up strays from our kennel every day, Monday through Friday, as needed. The County will scan for microchips, kennel dogs for 72 hours (three days) and, if not claimed, will put the animal up for adoption.

My name is Hobo, I am the little tan and white beagle/King Charles mix that so many Bay Village residents looked for and tried to catch. Do I look familiar?
 
I am also the little guy with the healthy set of lungs you would hear in the wee hours of the morning. You see, my pre-genetic disposed instincts would kick in whenever I could corner and terrorize a rabbit.
 
I must admit the last month, I had great fun running around the middle of the city and being chased by youngsters on bikes, but I managed to keep moving and finding great hiding spots and I am grateful to be telling you my story.

Over the past couple weeks, the media covered a regrettable incident that took place in Westlake. It involved an on-duty police officer and resulted in the death of a family dog. On March 6, a Westlake officer responded to a home security system alarm, and fatally shot Callaway, an eight-year-old yellow Labrador retriever. The patrolman maintains that he was threatened by the charging dog and fired his weapon in defense. 

I am deeply saddened by this family's loss and suffering. I have provided this family's professional pet services for many years, and enjoyed a special bond with Callaway. If I could speak to Callaway, I would say:

“If I could bring you back, I would in a heartbeat, but I can't. I am so sorry that you are no longer with us, but I can say for sure that you are with some other angels that are loved and missed each day. Your life and story have touched so many people.

Nutrition experts at the ASPCA have put together a handy list of the top toxic people foods to avoid feeding your pet.

As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Dangerous Foods for Pets:

• Chocolate
• Coffee
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Avocado
• Macadamia nuts

The kennel at the Bay Village Police Department is full of cats and kittens in need of forever homes.

Donations of unopened canned and dry dog/cat food, litter pans and gift certificates to animal hospitals are greatly needed and appreciated.

Please spay and neuter your pets and do not let them roam.

Please contact Bay Village Animal Control Officer, Diana Fife at 440-899-3414.

Just like humans, our animals are prone to skin cancers and other consequences of the heat.

“If we feel hot, they even feel hotter!”

According to local veterinarian Stephanie Dean, the main point about dogs and heat stroke is that because of their fur coats and the limited mechanisms of heat exchange (panting and sweating through their feet), if we feel hot, they even feel hotter, especially on those humid Cleveland days.