Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts

ACOAM Published quarterly by the Animal Control

Officer’s Association of Massachusetts

My Devastating Ordeal
NEWS
When Wildlife Bites, Call
June 2008

Written by Becky Taylor, Newburyport ACO MassWildlife

First, I'm the type of person that isn't comfortable Submitted by Marion Larson, MassWildlife
talking or writing about myself. I've always con- You have just received a call on the radio or phone
sidered myself a private person and I have a bit of reporting that a person has been bitten by a wild ani-
that old Yankee pride that makes it hard for me to mal—no other details are available. Now what?
ask for help. So writing the following does push Municipal
me out of my comfort zone, but its my story and animal
people are interested, so I will try to explain what control
h a p - officers
(ACO)
pened
a r e
f r o m often
m y among
point of t h e
view. “first
respon-
To lose ders” to
a furry b i t e
friend i n c i -
is hard dents
for any- involv-
ing wild
o n e .
animals
Most of and people or pets. Regardless of the situation, ACOs
us out- involved in these incidents are urged to be sure
live our MassWildlife is contacted about the situation.
pets and
have experienced the pain before, but what hap- ...continued on page 12...
pened to me and my family on April 14th was
Features
quite simply devastating. A guy had come over
unannounced to drop off some tools because he .. ACOAM Annual Meeting
2008 Rabies Clinics
was going to build a goat shed for me. I had been
. Foreclosures and Pets
upstairs, madly trying to find my health insurance
card so I could finish up my taxes and start my .. Wildlife News
ACOAM Annual Meeting
first vacation in two years.
...continued on page 4...
 You Are Invited
The Animal Control Officers Association of Massachuses
invites you to join us as we celebrate 28 years
of Public Service and Safety, Education, and Law Enforcement
!
within the Commonwealth of Massachuses

O W
N
MA State Representative Peter Koutoujian will be honored
P ACOAM’s 2008 I.M.P.A.C.T. Award
S V with
R
Joanne Bourbeau, of the Humane Society of the United States,
will be honored with ACOAM’s
2008 Richard A. Stein Distinguished Service Award

The Massachuses Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to

Animals and the Animal Rescue League of Boston will present
the 2008 ACO of the Year Award
!
W
ACOAM will present its 23rd Graduating Class
O
P N
S V Saturday, June 14, 2008
!
R W
The Marlborough Courtyard Marrio
N O
V P
6:30pm Cocktails RS& Banquet
7:00pm Dinner
Music/Raffle Dinner Reservations $25 pp

RSVP NOW with # persons aending to:

Deni Michele Goldman via dgoldman@town.hull.ma.us
or simply reply to the sender of this email invite.
You may also RSVP by phone at 781.706.1923
 On May 15, Hull Animal Control Officer and Director of
ACOAM’s Public Relations and Communications
Dept., Deni Goldman, received a call from Smith from
Plymouth. Smith was hysterical and nearly impossible
to understand on the phone through her tears. She
explained that she had been searching for her 9-year

SABER
S A B E
afe
Alert
R nimal y mergency esponse
old Golden Retriever, Samantha, since May 3, and
was just informed that ACOAM had a program that
could be of valuable assistance in her search.

Upon receiving Smith’s call, ACO Goldman issued a

Update SABER Alert on May 16 at 7:40am. At 7:41am, the
SABER Alert was received by Yarmouth Animal
Control & Protection Officer Penny Schiller and
13 Days, 30 Miles and one Motion
Picture-like Reunion
On May 3, 2008, Tracy Smith’s dog Samantha went
missing from her home on Bourne Street in Plymouth.
For eleven days, Smith searched for Samantha, call-
ing every local resource of which she could think. For
eleven nights, Smith wept, wondering where
Samantha was, and if she would ever see her beloved
Golden Retriever again.

Also on May 3, thirty miles away from Plymouth, Jim

Close, of Yarmouth, reported to Barnstable Animal
Control that he had found a Golden Retriever in a con-
servation area just off Route 6 (in Barnstable). Close Tracy and Samantha reunited
took the
d o g Barnstable Animal
to the Control Officer
Charlie Lewis. Both
ACO Schiller and
ACO Lewis immedi-
ately called Close,
informing him that
ACOAM may have
just located the
owner of the dog
that he had just
adopted. According
Samantha being found in woods to Close, he had just
received a call from
Animal Inn, which services the Cape Cod communi- Schiller regarding the
ties, where she was sheltered for the 10-day holding dog when Lewis True love!
period. During these ten days, Close visited the dog beeped in with the very
almost daily. same information.

On May 13, Close adopted the dog and took her to his
home in Yarmouth. He took her to the vet and he had
her licensed. There, “Gia” (as she was named), played
with Close’s dog Yankee (also a Golden Retriever),
and Close and his wife, Cathi, quickly bonded with
their family’s new addition.
A call to ACO Goldman from Close, and ACO Schiller
just minutes later, gave a sincere indication that these
two Golden Retrievers were very likely the same dog
- Samantha, missing from Plymouth.
...continued on page 6...

3
...devastating ordeal...continued from page 1...

I came downstairs to show him where to put the tools, when I heard my roommate, Ella, saying “No, no, no”. I
later learned from her that he had opened the door to the driveway and let the dogs out...he later explained that
he didn't know they couldn't go out.....I wish he had thought to ask first but it's too late now.

Three of our four dogs went racing down the driveway., I'm sure they had huge grins on their faces, psyched
that they were allowed to go out for a romp unattended. As they rounded the goat paddock at the end of the
driveway, they headed across the road to a huge field on the other side. Unfortunately, a car was right there
and struck all three of them.

We didn't know initially if Daisy had been hit or just so scared by the incident that she ran off into the woods.
What I did know was that she was nowhere to be seen. By the time I got out to the driveway and looked down
to the end, John (my ex) and the driver of the car, were both on their knees in the road hands over their faces
crying...or in disbelief. Tess, my little sweetheart, laid splayed out
in the road while King was trying desperately to drag his body to
the side of the road. I instantly went for my van knowing that every
second counted. I do not have rear view in the van and it's a nar-
row driveway. When I started to back down the driveway, it was
all clear but just a few feet later I hit something. I stopped, jumped
out of my van and found John lying on the side of the driveway. I
hate to admit it now but I was mad. I was thinking what the heck
were you doing? How the heck did you get from the road to
behind my van and why in the world didn't you get out of my way?

Later I learned from my neighbor across the street who just hap-
pened to see everything unfold, that John was walking up the
middle of the driveway with his hands over his face as he was still
crying. John later explained that this is what had in fact happened.
He said that at the last moment he saw blue (the color of the van)
and turned away towards the left, thus his right shoulder took the
hit and knocked him to the ground on the side of the driveway, break-
ing his clavicle. As he lay on the ground I called to him... I heard a moan and someone else yelling “Call 911!”.
Knowing that he had help on the way, I got back in the van and continued to get the dogs. If I could take back
just two minutes, it would be to have just sat there and held Tess as she passed. It only took 5 minutes to get
to the vet and she didn't make it. I found her little body all mushed up in the corner of the van when I got to
there...she had passed. I so wish I could have those minutes back so she could have passed in my arms instead
in the cold metal cage of my ACO van... but she did and there's is no going back. King was still alive, barely, so
my focus switched to him, but I was clearly devastated by losing Tess. King was in shock and unable to move
on his on. He had lost his vision as well. It was hard to tell what was broken but the vet didn't think he was going
to make it. And after all, it was 5:45pm, she would be closing soon so I would have to take him elsewhere. She
is no longer my vet...not just for this reason but her cold response was my last straw.

At some point I had called Eileen Cashman, my very good friend and the ACO for Amesbury, where I live. With
her assistance, we got King to the emergency vet in Brentwood NH. That night there was little they could do.
We prayed that the internal bleeding would stop and prepared for the worst. He spent the first night on an oxy-
gen tank. I don't think anyone there thought he'd make it either. That first night cost $3,000.

Meanwhile, John, Ella and my daughter were all at the emergency room. A few neighbors went out in search
of Daisy and a couple stayed behind at the house in case Daisy showed up. But nothing. No sighting. She had
just disappeared. That's how the first couple of hours went and Tess was dead...I couldn't believe it...I didn't
want to believe it. She was my very best friend in the whole world and I still feel like I'll miss her forever and its
been over six weeks since I lost her and the sadness I feel hasn't subsided.
...continued on page 5...

4
...devastating ordeal...continued from page 1...

Daisy was found the next day. Down behind an abandoned barn just a few hundred yards from our farm. I had
been up all night, too sad to sleep and so worried about Daisy. I remember being outside at 3am calling for her...
not a whimper or a moan...nothing, and she was so close. Some construction workers had come to work on the
other barn and found her.

They called the police, we got her and brought her up to Brentwood. My ex-vet did the initial x-rays and found
a very bad multiple fracture to her back femur. $5,000+ later and she is absolutely fine. You'd never know any-
thing had happened to her except that her back end has obviously been recently shaved so that looks funny.
King, on the other hand, has had a rough time of it, but he is simply a miracle dog. Just last Wednesday he had
a back toe amputated and all in all he has healed fantastically. He's a happy boy again even though he has lit-
tle use of his front left leg due to radial nerve damage. Whether or not it will heal more is something only time
can tell.

In total for all three dogs the vet costs now exceed $13,000 BUT the fund that Eileen started for me has now
brought in over $13,000 as well which absolutely blows me away. Just last week the fund was at $10,600. An
anonymous donation for $3,000 came in five weeks after the incident and mall donations arrive almost daily.

What happened to who? A list: Tess - Died $200; Daisy - Multiple fracture to left hind femur $5,950; King -
Massive trauma to the body - $7,200; Internal bleeding, Lung damage; Heart arrhythmia; Mutilated left hind foot
- pads are healed, one toe amputated; Front left leg radial damage - limited use, probably permanent - may
have to amputate.

When Eileen first asked if she could try and help me by starting a fundraiser, we were thinking a few pot luck
dinners or something, but the impassioned plea she made for me must have struck a nerve in people because
within 24 hours her email box was full with inquiries from around the country. I remember her first call to me.
She was so excited and when she described what she was experiencing, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and
maybe I was a little embarrassed as well. I've always been a private person and now everyone around the coun-
try knew that I was in financial straights (and that I ran over my ex-husband which made the story just that much
juicier!) But because of Eileen's actions to try and help me, and all of the generosity from folks across the coun-
try, as well as here in my local community, my farm is currently safe from foreclosure and two of my dogs are
recovering, very much alive. Another dog we have Taco didn't get out that fateful day. It'll still be a while before
they can really romp around the yard together, but little Taco is so very grateful to have his two big buddies back.
I wonder if he still thinks about his little girlfriend Tess and whatever happened to her...?

I couldn't be more thankful for the generosity that has been shown to me. I still don't know if I really deserved
it, but I am so appreciative and relieved that I won't be losing my farm because I decided in a moment of despair
to try and save King. He's so worth the effort and he's come so far in the past six weeks, that I now know I made
the right decision. But that is only true because so many caring people came out and supported me with their
kind words and generous donations... all to help some little ACO in Nowheresville, MA.

I made a big decision a few years ago to make the big change and leave the big money career for something
more satisfying. I love being an ACO even though some days I do wonder. I might work for a little city but I love
my little city and appreciate being so appreciated by the residents and the city officials for whom I work. I know
I am truly one of the lucky ones. Many of the ACO's I know don't have it as good as I do and I say that know-
ing I'm overworked and way under paid. But at least I get the chance to make just a little bit of difference in a
few animals’ lives, in my own little area of the world. And that's good enough for me.

From the bottom of my heart I want to thank everyone that has contributed to my fund. I can't explain in words
how very touched I am. And thank you ACOAM for all of your support over the past year as I have learned so
many new things working with so many of you.
- Becky Taylor

5
...saber alert...continued from page 3...

ACO Goldman contacted Smith, Samantha’s owner, With deepest

telling her that she was pretty certain that Samantha
had been found on the Cape. Within a few minutes, sympathy, hope and
arrangements were made for Smith to leave her home
in Plymouth and drive to Yarmouth, where Close was
bittersweetly awaiting Smith’s arrival to I.D.
prayer...
Samantha. J o h n
Hazeldine, the
Smith’s excitement to see if this dog was truly 7 year Animal
Samantha was unfortunately also a bit hindered by Control Officer
her fear of this connection being a hoax and that she for the town of
would be traveling thirty miles to the home of a com- Foxboro, has
plete stranger – without Samantha being found. In an recently suffered a stroke. John is currently going
effort to alleviate Smith’s fears, and assure her that through recovery and is making strides towards
this was not a hoax, Hull ACO Goldman and Yarmouth improvement.
ACO Schiller arranged for Smith to meet ACO Schiller
at Schiller’s Yarmouth office and ACO Schiller would Many know John as an avid animal lover of all types,
then accompany Smith over to the Close residence. In including his Standardbred horse "Cast Iron", his two
fact, Schiller re-arranged her entire day in order to be Pit Bulls and his Labrador Retriever.
available for Smith. Just as Officer Schiller and Smith
arrived at Close’s house, Smith spotted Samantha – Prior to Foxboro, John worked as an ACO for the town
and Samantha spotted Smith…it was without a doubt of Wrentham and the town of North Attleboro.
a match!!
Cards and well wishes for John may be sent to:
In the words of
Yarmouth ACO Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital
Penny Schiller, “It 250 Pond Street
was the most Braintree, MA 02184
enjoyable call I’ve 781-348-2500
had in ages. It was
like walking into a
Walt Disney flick,
or Ol’ Yeller…what
a lovely reunion.
She was crying, I
was crying, the
the Month!
Picture of

dog was jumping

around and joyous
– it was really
something!”

Tracy, Jim, Samantha “We know that our

and Yankee statewide organization
of Animal Control Officers will do everything to keep
pets safe and to reunite them with their owners.
Knowing that there are other people out there who are
so wonderful and caring, like the Close family, gives
us such a sense of hope for lost pets or pets that sud-
denly need new homes”, said Officer Goldman. “Jim
and Cathi Close exemplify those type of people.”

Since October 2007, 69 SABER have been issued. Marley watching over Quinn
Courtesy of Nancy Allen, Hull MA

6
Pet Victims in Home Foreclosures
How ACOs Can Help
Editorial submitted by the Editor
As the number of home foreclosures in America con-
tinues to grow, so does the number of pets that have
become the victims of this ongoing predicament.
At a time when nothing can possibly seem worse than
the loss of a place called “home”, losing a beloved pet
at the same time, certainly tops off this devastation.
So many
families
who are
being
evicted
f r o m
f o r e -
closed
homes
are left
with no
other
choice
than to
surren-
der their
pets to
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Waters, a n i m a l
MarketWatch, Chicago
shelters. And
some of these families aren’t even taking their pets to
shelters – it is reported that numerous realtors are
going into foreclosed homes finding animals still living
inside, sadly mistaking an await of their family’s return.
The majority of these pets have already depleted any
food and water left behind.
Animal Control Officers, rescue organizations and
shelter professionals can only do so much. We can
encourage victims of foreclosures to “please take your
pets to a shelter” in lieu of abandoning them in a dark,
lonely house. We can remind them that leaving their
pets behind is considered “abandonment” and that
they can be charged for this crime. But what we can’t
do is take away the emotional pain of being forced to
move on, and forced to part ways with a beloved pet.
Recognizing that animal shelters are likely experienc-
ing the intensity of this crisis as an increasing number
of pet owners are frantically trying to find solutions to
their living arrangements, American Humane has
offered some ways that animal care professionals can
help families of the foreclosure crisis.
First and foremost, we are reminded that it is essential
not to forget that victims of foreclosures are likely filled
with an array of emotions, not just sadness and fear,
but also embarrassment. We can address this in our
own cities/towns by making it known that we are avail-
able to assist victims of foreclosures, and that anyone
needing assistance with such a matter should not hes-
itate to contact his/her ACO or shelter manager.
We should provide families with lists of pet-friendly
apartments and landlords. www.apartments.com;
www.peoplewithpets.com and classified ads can help
with this provision. We can advise families to strongly
consider working with private landlords in lieu of just
commercial properties, and negotiate offerings of
security deposits for having pets on the premises. We
can also advise families to be responsible pet owners
and make their attentiveness to this responsibility (i.e.
dog licenses, vaccinations, spays/neuters, cleanli-
ness, adhesion to leash laws and other town bylaws,
and pet health upkeep) evident to a potential landlord.
We can also provide families with a list of boarding
facilities that may assist in temporary pet care while
they look for a new home. Perhaps shelters and ACOs
can begin to
develop
relation-
ships with
such board-
ing facilities
to consider
offering
reduced
fees for vic-
tims of fore-
closures, so
that their
pets do not
have to be
surrendered.
ACOAM is proud to be made up of so many ACOs
who will do whatever it takes to help pets and families.
Our organization is also comprised of ACOs who will
reach out to assist one another, and often, our selfless
ACOs have even cared for people’s pets themselves.
ACOAM urges all of us not to ever hesitate to seek
help through our network of brothers and sisters -- we
are a remarkable team!
7
Inside Our Schools A Dogs Purpose
ACOs Working with Our Youth From the View of a 6 Year Old
Author Unkown
On Friday, May 2nd, Oxford ACOs Sheila Donohue
and Cindy Thompson were invited (as well as many Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a
other members of the Oxford ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's
community) to participate in owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane,
“Community Reading Day” at were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping
the school. Both Sheila and for a miracle. Examination showed that Belker was
Cindy read a pre-chosen book dying of
to a class each (Cindy – cancer. I
Grade 5 and Sheila – Grade told the
7). Following the book read- family we
ing, Sheila’s class was shown couldn't do
seven or so types of animal pelts from various species anything
indigenous to our geographical location. The class for him,
also had a discussion regarding the book, entitled and offered
“The Growing Tree” and the meaning of the book. The to perform
class was full of questions and stories regarding ani- t h e
mals. Sheila passed around her “cool” ACO badge euthanasia
and talked about finding ones passion in life as she procedure
has done w/ ACOAM’s help. Cindy based her discus- for the old
sion on rabies following the reading of her book and dog in their
the do’s and don’ts of interacting with wildlife. Cindy home. As
also stressed the importance of being sure that all we made
pets at home be vaccinated. All in all it was great fun! arrange-
ments, Ron
April 7 - 18, Hull ACO Deni Goldman spoke with all of and Lisa said (Photo not related to story)
the elementary school students (grades k-4) educat- they thought it would Neil Reilly and dog Bruno,
ing them about animal cruelty and fostering empathy be good for six-year- Hull, MA
towards animals.The children viewed tastefully-select- old Shane to
ed slides depicting different types of animal cruelty, observe the procedure. They felt that Shane might
and discussed the images they saw of emaciated ani- learn something from the experience.
mals, overweight animals, chained dogs, abused ani-
mals, dog fighting victims, hoarding victims, animals The next day came the familiar catch in my throat as
without shelter, food, water, veterinary care, and lov- Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so
ing homes. Many of the children were apalled that calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I won-
people could be so cruel, and many of them asked dered if he understood what was going on. Within a
numerous questions about cruelty laws, jail, (even few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
some questions about Michael Vick!). After promising
never to harm an animal, to always report an animal in The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition
need or a person hurting an animal, the students were without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for
all given Junior Animal Control Officer badge stickers, a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about
which were a big hit! Rumor has it many of the kids are the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human
still wearing them! lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up:
'I know why!' Startled, we all turned to him. His words
If any ACOs are interested in ordering Junior Animal stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting expla-
Control Officer badge stickers, please contact Deni at nation.
dgoldman@town.hull.ma.us and she will provide you
with contact information for ordering these badges. He said: 'People are born so that they can learn how
These are a great giveaway and certainly make chil- to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time
dren feel that they themselves can go out and watch and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued:
for animal crime! 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't
have to stay as long.'

8
Legislative
Update
Submitted by Kara Holquist, MSPCA
Attention ACOs:
This important bill needs your help. Please con-
tact your state legislators, particularly if either is in
the Senate Ways and Means Committee (see list).
S. 2450 - An Act Updating the Animal Control Laws
of Massachusetts
Status: Received a favorable report from the
Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Committee; in Senate Ways and Means.
Why do these laws need to be updated?
Many of the laws that govern animal control date back
to the 1800s. Quite simply, the laws do not address
the current state of animal control in our municipalities.
For example, animal control was previously based on
the structure of a county system, which is for the most
part not used today. The fines and fees are outdated.
The term “dog officer” is still used, although in
Massachusetts and nationally, the current term used is
“animal control officer.” These proposed changes are
made to Chapter 140, sections 136A through 174D to
update and make the animal control laws more effi-
cient, current and effective.
Who supports these changes?
The Animal Control Officers Association of
Massachusetts (ACOAM), the Massachusetts Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), the
Animal Rescue League of Boston, the state’s Bureau
of Animal Health within the Department of Agricultural
Resources and the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical
Association (MVMA) have worked together to draft
these changes.
Will these changes cost the state money?
No. Fees and fines are increased in this bill. The out-
dated “county” dog fund has been replaced with an
animal control fund within a city or town, since the
county system is not used any more. Cities or towns
should not be impacted by these changes either.
What specifically would this bill do?
- Change the outdated term “dog officer” to
“animal control officer”
- Require training of animal control officers
- Allow towns/cities specifically to set their own
license period
- Create consistency and removing outdated
references (including those to the county
system)
- Update fines and fees (which are very low in
many instances and haven’t been updated for
decades)
- Add ferrets to 145B (the rabies vaccination
requirement; ferrets were made legal in
Massachusetts in 1996. This section has been
updated to reflect this and their vaccination
requirements)
- Improve the dangerous dog law (while
preventing ineffective breed-specific
legislation)
- Create categories for kennel licensing
- Create consistency in the holding time for stray
dogs
- Prohibit certain methods of euthanasia for
dogs and cats
- Adding enforcement provision to section 139A
(the spay/neuter deposit law for animals
adopted from shelters and animal control
facilities).
- Create a fund to help fund low-cost
spay/neuter surgeries and prevent homeless
animals
- Create some statewide oversight for animal
control, which currently does not exist in
Massachusetts
...continued on page 10...
9

SENATE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
SENATOR STEVEN C. PANAGIOTAKOS
Telephone: 617-722-1630 or (978) 454-0086
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Steven.Panagiotakos@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: FIRST MIDDLESEX. —
Lowell, Dunstable, Groton, Pepperell, Tyngsborough
and Westford.
SENATOR STEPHEN M. BREWER
Telephone: (617) 722-1540
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Stephen.Brewer@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: WORCESTER, HAMP-
DEN, HAMPSHIRE AND FRANKLIN. —
Ashburnham, Athol, Barre, Brookfield, Charlton, East
Brookfield, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree,
North Brookfield, Oakham, Petersham, Phillipston,
Royalston, Rutland, Spencer, Sturbridge, Templeton,
Warren, West Brookfield and Winchendon, in the
county of Worcester; Brimfield, Holland, Monson,
Palmer and Wales, in the county of Hampden; Ware,
in the county of Hampshire; and Orange and
Warwick, in the county of Franklin.
SENATOR HARRIETTE L. CHANDLER
Telephone: (617) 722-1544
Fax: (617) 722-1357
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Harriette.Chandler@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: FIRST WORCESTER.
& #151; Worcester, wards 1 to 4, inclusive, 9 and 10,
Berlin, Boylston, Clinton, precincts 3 and 4, Holden,
Northborough, precincts 1, 2 and 4, Paxton,
Princeton and West Boylston.
SENATOR ROBERT A. ANTONIONI
Tel: (617) 722-1230
Fax: (617) 722-1130 Tel: (978)-534-6946
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Robert.Antonioni@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED—WORCESTER AND
MIDDLESEX. Fitchburg, Gardner, Leominster,
Bolton, Clinton, precincts 1 and 2, Lancaster,
Lunenburg, Sterling and Westminster, in the county
of Worcester; and Ashby and Townsend, in the coun-
ty of Middlesex.
SENATOR EDWARD M. AUGUSTUS, JR.
Telephone: (617) 722-1485
Fax: 617-722-1066
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
E-Mail Address: Edward.Augustus@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: SECOND WORCES-
TER. — Worcester, wards 5 to 8, inclusive, Auburn,
Grafton, Leicester, Millbury, Shrewsbury and Upton.
SENATOR STEVEN A. BADDOUR
Telephone: (617) 722-1604
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Steven.Baddour@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: FIRST ESSEX. —
Haverhill, Newburyport, Amesbury, Merrimac,
Methuen, North Andover, precincts 1, 4, 6 and 8, and
Salisbury.
SENATOR SUSAN C. FARGO
Telephone: (617) 722-1572
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Susan.Fargo@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: THIRD MIDDLESEX. —
Waltham, Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord,
Lexington, precincts 3, 8 and 9, Lincoln, Sudbury,
precincts 1 and 4, and Weston.
STATE SENATOR MICHAEL W. MORRISSEY
Telephone: (617) 722-1494
Fax: (617) 722-1055
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Michael.W.Morrissey@state.ma.us
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: NORFOLK AND PLY-
MOUTH. — Quincy, Braintree, precincts 2 and 6 to
12, inclusive, and Holbrook, in the county of Norfolk;
and Abington and Rockland, in the county of
Plymouth.
SENATOR MARC R. PACHECO
Telephone: (617) 722-1551
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT
State House E-Mail Address:
Marc.Pacheco@state.ma.us
N.B.: All correspondence by E-Mail MUST include a
home address and a telephone number in order to
receive a response.
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: FIRST PLYMOUTH
AND BRISTOL. — Bridgewater, Carver, Marion,
Middleborough and Wareham, in the county of
Plymouth; and Taunton, Berkley, Dighton and
Raynham, in the county of Bristol.
10
SENATOR SUSAN C. TUCKER SENATOR MICHAEL R. KNAPIK
Tel: (617) 722-1612 State House District Office
Fax: (617) 722-1058 Room 419 57 North Elm St.
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT Boston, MA 02133 Westfield, MA 01085
E-Mail Address: Susan.Tucker@state.ma.us Tel: (617) 722-1415 Tel: (413) 562-6454
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: SECOND ESSEX AND Party Affiliation - REPUBLICAN
MIDDLESEX.— Lawrence, and Andover, in the coun- State House E-Mail Address:
ty of Essex; and Dracut and Tewksbury, in the county Michael.Knapik@state.ma.us
of Middlesex. DISTRICT REPRESENTED: SECOND HAMPDEN
AND HAMPSHIRE. — Chicopee, ward 1, precincts A
SENATOR DIANNE WILKERSON and B, ward, 3, precincts A to C, inclusive, ward 6,
Telephone: (617) 722-1673 precincts A and B, ward 7, precincts A and B, ward 8,
Fax: (617) 722-1079 precincts A and B, ward 9, precincts A and B,
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT Holyoke, Westfield, Blandford, Chester, Granville,
State House E-Mail Address: Montgomery, Russell, Southwick and Tolland, in the
Dianne.Wilkerson@state.ma.us county of Hampden; and Easthampton and
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: SECOND SUFFOLK. — Southampton, in the county of Hampshire.
Boston, ward 3, precincts 7 and 8, ward 4, precincts
1 to 6, inclusive, 8 and 9, ward 5, precincts 1, 4 to 8, SENATOR BRUCE E. TARR
inclusive, and 11, wards 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, ward Telephone: (617) 722-1600
14, precincts 3, 6 to 11, inclusive, and ward 19, Party Affiliation - REPUBLICAN
precincts 1 to 9, inclusive. State House E-Mail Address:
Bruce.Tarr@state.ma.us
SENATOR CYNTHIA STONE CREEM DISTRICT REPRESENTED: FIRST ESSEX AND
Telephone: (617) 722-1639 MIDDLESEX. — Gloucester, Boxford, Essex,
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT Georgetown, Groveland, Hamilton, Ipswich,
State House E-Mail Address: Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Newbury, North
Cynthia.Creem@state.ma.us Andover, precincts 2, 3, 5 and 7, Rockport, Rowley,
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: FIRST MIDDLESEX Wenham and West Newbury, in the county of Essex;
AND NORFOLK. — Newton, in the county of and North Reading and Wilmington, in the county of
Middlesex; and Brookline and Wellesley, precincts A Middlesex.
and C to E, inclusive, in the county of Norfolk.

SENATOR KAREN SPILKA All legislators can be reached by writing:

Tel: (617) 722-1640
Fax: (617) 722-1077 Tel: (508) 872-6677 The Honorable _______________
Fax: (508) 881-3642 State House
Party Affiliation - DEMOCRAT Boston, MA 02133
State House E-Mail Address:
Karen.E.Spilka@state.ma.us Or at 617-722-2000
DISTRICT REPRESENTED: SECOND MIDDLESEX
AND NORFOLK. — Ashland, Framingham, Holliston,
Hopkinton and Natick, precincts 1 to 5, inclusive, and
8, in the county of Middlesex; Franklin, precincts 1
and 5 to 8, inclusive, and Medway, in the county of
Norfolk.

.
oops..
A heartfelt apology goes out to Ann M. Cohen, who respectfully submitted
an excellent article highlighting the first MAC meeting of 2008, for the
March issue of ACOAM News. Ann’s name was inadvertently left out of
the “submitted by” by-line of her article. Thank you Ann, for all of your
work and contributions. You are appreciated! - the Editor

11
 Little Brown Bats and Big Brown Bats are the most
likely species to be found in buildings. In some cases,
o r e Wildlife with small numbers of bats, people don't mind their
M News presence and concentrate on blocking holes and
cracks leading into the human living quarters.
...continued from page 1...
Where there is a large colony in house walls, biolo-
gists recommend that homeowners wait to initiate
eviction proceedings until the first week of August
through November. Waiting to evict the colony allows
time for young bats to mature and leave the house on
their own.

Bats in the Belfry

Submitted by Marion Larson, MassWildlife

With summer's hot, humid weather, some Bay State

homeowners may discover bats residing in their
home!

Attics are the most common portion of a house in

which bats roost and raise their young. After a few hot
summer days, an attic may become too warm for the
bats, forcing them out and sometimes into people's liv-
ing quarters as they search for cooler places to roost.
Inexperienced young bats may fall down a chimney, fly
in open windows or down attic stairs.

What's a homeowner to do? Fortunately, a single bat
flying in a room can usually be dealt with quite easily.
Open an outside window or door in the room contain-
ing the bat and close off the rest of the room from the
house. It's usually only a matter of a few minutes of
circling before the bat locates the open window and
leaves the house. Bats do not attack people or fly into
people's hair.
Learn how to evict bats safely or live with them using
"A Homeowner's Guide to Bats" booklet available from
MassWildlife. This publication contains tips on han-
dling a bat in the house, designs for one-way doors,
bat house plans, and a key to identifying the nine bat
species in Massachusetts. The booklet is posted in the
Wildlife area of the agency website and is also avail-
able in hard copy at MassWildlife offices.

If a bat has landed, it can be assisted out of a house To receive a hard copy of the booklet by mail, send a
in several ways. For a bat on a curtain, place a jar, cof- business sized, self-addressed, 82 cent stamped
fee can or small box over the bat, carefully working the envelope to: Bat Booklet, MassWildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill
animal into the container, and cover it. A bat on the Rd, Westboro, MA 01581.
floor can be covered with a towel.
Homeowners who wish to hire someone to evict a bat
Another method is to put on leather gloves and simply colony can find a list of licensed Problem Animal
pick up the bat and release it outdoors-don't use cot- Control agents in the Wildlife area of MassWildlife's
ton gloves or handle a bat with bare hands. Whatever website.
method is used, don't worry when the bat squeaks
loudly when handled. Take the bat outdoors and
release it. If anyone has had direct contact with a bat
or if a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person,
the bat should be safely captured and not released.
Contact local health officials for assistance in evaluat-
ing potential rabies risk and submitting the bat to the
Department of Public Health for rabies testing.
12
...when wildlife bites...continued from page 1...

If the incident occurs during business hours, a biolo-
gist either at the Westboro headquarters or the district
office which serves your community may be able to
assist you with technical advice or a visit the scene if
the situation warrants further investigation. Because
MassWildlife is responsible for wildlife in the state, the
agency needs to document and, when appropriate,
investigate incidents that involve people bitten by wild
animals.
When you arrive at the scene, the animal involved
may have vanished into the underbrush, or someone
may have caught and/or killed the animal. Whatever
the situation, be sure to accurately identify the species
(type) of animal involved in the incident. This may
seem obvious, but there are times victims, witnesses
and sometimes officials have misidentified an animal,
causing unnecessary neighborhood concern, innaccu-
rate media reports and problems with investigations.
When the animal has been captured or destroyed
within minutes of the attack—identification is usually
quick and simple. It’s when the animal in question has
vanished into the underbrush and can’t be immediate-
ly located that wildlife detective work begins.
Color—What color was the animal? Was it all one
color? Did it have any markings?
Measure Bite Marks—Keep a ruler or measuring
tape in your vehicle. If the victim is still at the
scene, take some measurements of the bite
marks and note where on the body they were
located. Take pictures of the marks with a ruler or
coin next to them to judge their size. A
MassWildlife biologist may be able to look at
these images and make an accurate identifica-
tion.
Animal Behavior—What was happening before
the attack occurred? What did the animal do after
the attack? Have there been sightings of wild ani-
mals in the area recently?

Ask questions of the victim and any witnesses to

determine what kind of animal was involved in the
attack. Most people know what the common
wildlife in their area looks like, but sometimes
people are not familiar with some animals. The
most common misidentification MassWildlife biol-
ogists have encountered in some bite situations
has been between coyotes and foxes, particular-
ly gray foxes. Here are a few key questions to
ask which will help narrow down the options.

Shape/Body Type—Did the animal look like a

dog or a cat? If not, what kind of animal did it look
like? What was the shape of the body? Was the
rounded or did it have a longer, narrow body like
a ferret or weasel? Did it have a tail? Was the tail
very bushy or was it long and narrow? What was
the shape of the face or ears?
Fox Bit Oxford Man
Rabid animal is shot, killed
Segment By Ellie Oleson NEWSCORRESPONDENT
OXFORD— The owner of a Worcester business has a
handgun for his protection at work, but last week used the
weapon to protect himself at home in Oxford, where he
was twice attacked by a rabid fox...

Size—How big was this animal? — Try to stay
away from someone giving a weight—very few
people can accurately estimate an animal weighs.
Ask if the animal was the size of a domestic cat,
a beagle, border collie or German Shepard? Dog
breed sizes seem to be much easier for people to
grasp.
...Oxford Animal Control Officer Cindy J. Thompson col-
lected the dead animal and refrigerated the body until
Animal Control Officer Sheila S. Donohue could remove
the head and send it to the state Department of Public
Health’s State Laboratory Institute in Jamaica Plain,
where it was tested for rabies. “It takes about a week to
test. It came back positive for rabies on Friday,” Ms.
Donohue said...
13
All these questions make it easier to identify what
animal was involved in the attack. As many of you
know, the animal may appear again in a few
hours or in a few days, or in some cases, never
be found again. When the media asks questions
about the incident, and if you don’t know what the
animal was, say so. It’s not worth losing your
credibility if you make something up on the spot.
If a MassWildlife staff biologist is assisting, you
can direct reporters to that person.
What if MassWildlife biologists are not available?
Unfortunately, many incidents occur on week-
ends, holidays or after business hours. If this is
the case, be sure to contact MassWildlife’s
Westborough Field Headquarters at 508/389-
6300 and leave a message with your contact
information and brief description of the circum-
stances. A MassWildlife biologist will follow up
with you as soon as possible. Regardless of the
outcome, MassWildlife needs to know about the
attack and will work with your town to provide
assistance and information to neighborhoods,
local officials and the local media. Meanwhile,
find out what you can at the scene using some of
the tips provided. You’ll probably figure it out your-
self!
Call Out Box
MassWildlife District Offices are open Monday
through Friday except for state and federal holi-
days. To find out what District Office serves your
community, go to the MassWildlife web link at
http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/facilities/dis-
tricts.htm Either click on the geographic area of
the state where your community is located or click
on the Where’s My Town? link.
Western District, Pittsfield 413-447-9789
Conn. Valley District, Belchertown 413-323-7632
Central District, West Boylston 508-835-3607
Northeast District, Acton 978-263-4347
Southeast District, 508-759-3406
The MassWildlife Field Headquarters in
Westborough is a state wide office, where the
furbearer biologist is located. Contact that office
at 508-389-6300.
New Furbearer Biologist Hired at
MassWildlife
My name is Laura Hajduk (pronounced “hi duke”). I
was recently hired as the Furbearer Biologist with for
the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
I’ve already met or spoken with many ACO’s, but I’d
like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to
those of you that I have yet to meet. I just moved to
Massachusetts from Illinois where I was working on
my Master’s degree studying long-tailed weasel
space use and habitat selection with the
Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory at
Southern Illinois University. As an undergraduate at
Northern Illinois University, I studied space use of
South American culpeo foxes in relation to prey
availability. As the furbearer biologist, I am respon-
sible for the management of beavers, bobcats, coy-
otes, fisher, foxes, mink, muskrat, opossum, rac-
coon, river otter, skunk and weasels.
Recently, on May 1, I presented a lecture at the ACO
Academy on May 1st about furbearers in
MAMassachusetts, wildlife diseases, and an in-
depth look atinformation on coyotes. I look forward
to presenting meeting more ACO’s at the next
Academy in October. As ACO’s, I know you are
often called on by the public to deal with wildlife
problems and concerns. and iIf you have any ques-
tions or concerns regarding furbearers, please feel
free to contact me.
Don’t forget that there is valuable information on
common wildlife in the Wildlife area of our website,
www.mass.gov/masswildlife. Feel free to direct
callers to our website or our District offices. If you
are ever called to the scene of an attack on people
involving a wild animal or coyotes attacking pets
when people are present, please contact me imme-
diately! I can be reached at 508-389-6322 or
laura.hajduk@state.ma.us.
Of course, a number of incidents occur on week-
ends, holidays or non-business hours. If this is the
case, please call the Environmental Police Radio
Room which is open 24/7 at 1-800-632-8075 with a
brief description of the circumstances and your con-
tact information. You can still leave a message at
my voice mail or the MassWildlife Field
Headquarters voicemail at 508/389-6300. I or
another staff person will respond as soon as possi-
ble. In the meantime, I look forward to working with
you in the future.
14
Beaver Funding Assistance Request
Submitted by Linda Huebner, MSPCA
Thanks to a grant from the Robert Nion Thieriot Foundation, the
MSPCA has funding to assist with installation of water flow
devices to humanely, non-lethally, and ecologically mitigate
beaver-related flooding in the Berkshires.

Who can participate? Any individual, town, business, or organi-

zation in Berkshire County. (Other Western MA towns will be con-
sidered if funds are not exhausted in the Berkshires).

What are the criteria? A willingness (of all parties involved) to

resolve problems non-lethally for the long term, a site that is con-
ducive to flow device usage, and permission of the landowners and the local Conservation Commission to install
water flow devices.

How do I request assistance? Send a description of your conflict site(s) and the limitations of your budget to
the MSPCA for consideration. Starting in the spring, we will evaluate the sites to determine if they are conducive
to flow device usage.

Funding assistance: The amount of funding offered to each applicant will depend on the number of requests,
the amount of each viable request, and the ability of each requester to pay for part of the flow device, or the
maintenance contract for the device, themselves.

Deadline: Requests will be accepted throughout 2008 until funding is exhausted. Requests will be considered
in the order in which they are received. Submit ASAP, please.

Send requests to: Linda Huebner, MSPCA Western New England, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA, 01105.
Lhuebner@mspca.org., fax 413-750-7660, phone 413-750-7623. Please include the following information:
Name, Date, City/Town, Phone #, Email.

MSPCA Goes Hi-Tech to Resolve Wildlife Conflicts

Non-Profit’s Living with Wildlife Program Offers Online Tool for
Homeowners
Submitted by Linda Huebner, MSPCA
Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (MSPCA) Living With Wildlife
program now offers The Intruder Excluder to aid homeowners in the humane resolution of wildlife conflicts. The
MSPCA’s unique online tool was created through funding from the Nion Robert Thieriot Foundation and is cur-
rently available to homeowners as wildlife becomes more transient during the Spring season.

Utilizing an interactive interface, The Intruder Excluder helps users identify the animal intruder through images,
tracks, scat and behavioral descriptions of the suspect wildlife. Once the intruder is identified, The Intruder
Excluder provides step-by-step instructions to humanely exclude the wildlife from the home or yard.

“The Intruder Excluder is a user-friendly Web site that helps homeowners humanely resolve conflicts with
wildlife in and around their homes,” said Debra MacLaren, MSPCA Living With Wildlife Program Coordinator.
“This interactive house provides users with a better understanding of why wildlife are attempting to share their
home and yard, so that homeowners can resolve current wildlife conflicts and prevent future wildlife conflicts
from occurring.”

To use The Intruder Excluder go to: www.mspca.org/intruderexcluder/. The Living With Wildlife program at the
MSPCA promotes harmonious and peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife in urban, suburban, and
rural communities. For more information, visit www.livingwithwildlife.org
15
7
Oxford’s Crazy Roosters’ Torment Now Haulted by Capture
Submitted by Sheila Donohue, Oxford ACO

It seems that a crazy loose rooster has been tormenting the

neighborhood children up off of State Street in Oxford lately.

The kooky bird managed to dodge Animal Control a few

weeks ago, and following a period of silenced calls about the
bird, Animal Control figured that the rooster was either eaten
by something or found his way home.

No such luck, as another call suddenly came into the Oxford

PD reporting that the rooster has taken up residence
between four – five houses – everyone is feeding him.
According to Oxford ACO Donohue, “I truly think that the
entire neighborhood is falling for him. He has now been
sighted at cookouts, family walks after dinner and bike rides
with the kids”. He even has a name now, “Spunky”.
Oxford ACO Sheila Donohue
After numerous attempt to capture the crazy bird continued to be inter- with mascot “Spunky”
rupted by crowds of screaming, astonished people, ACO Donohue
finally snatched the “character” and he is now their shelter mascot. “He has chutzpah (I think that’s
Gaelic for spunk)“, says Donohue. “Cock-a doodle-doo”!

Donations Needed: Worcester Animal Rescue League has 10 Animals

in Need of Medical Care
Submitted by Doreen Currier, Executive Director, Worcester Animal Rescue League

WORCESTER – A dog falls out of a third-story apartment building and breaks its hip.Dogs and cats, out and on
the move again because it’s spring, are getting crushed under cars and trucks. A broken pelvis, broken legs,
and other terrible injuries have been reported. The public is being asked to come forward to help suffering ani-
mals. Money is urgently needed for unexpected medical bills.

In the past month, the Worcester Animal Rescue League shelter on Holden Street has had three dogs and
seven cats brought in with broken bones from being hit by cars or falling from windows.

“I’ve never seen so many in such a short period of time,” Doreen Currier, executive director, exclaimed.
Veterinary treatment is expensive and the shelter now has a bill of more than $10,000 to treat those injuries.
Treated, not killed. The shelter has recently become “no kill.” Last year, the organization entered a new chap-
ter in its history when Currier announced a partnership with Bolton-based Second Chance Fund for Animal
Welfare. Euthanasia decisions are only reserved for suffering animals with poor prognoses, or vicious dogs
unfit for society. But that means the broken bones are mended, or the legs amputated. It costs more, but is far
more humane. Last year, the public responded with huge support for this decision. “We are hoping we can count
on the public again to help with this bill,” Currier said.

Donations may be sent to: WARL, 139 Holden St, Worcester, MA 01602. Please note “Save Our Souls Fund”
on the envelope. For more information, call the shelter at (508) 853-0030, or e-mail to: petsavr@aol.com.

16
ACOs Step it Up with 2008 Rabies Clinics Reaching Great Numbers
Courtesy of the Editor

Each spring, numerous Massachusetts communites host reduced cost rabies clinics which serve as a public
service to ensure health and safety within their cities and towns. An abundance of these clinics are spearheaded
by Animal Control Officers. With wildlife continuing to increase in every
Massachusetts community, so increases the potential for domestic
animal and human exposure to this deadly virus.

In 2008, 52 cities and towns within the Commonwealth registered

their rabies clinics with the MA Department of Agriculture. And paral-
lel to the increase in rabies potential, the number of pets vaccinated
via these rabies clinics also rose in attendance - mostly due to ACOs
stepping up to offer these clinics. The cities/towns and the number of
vaccinations administered (reported) are as follows:

Amesbury -38; Auburn -49; Barnstable -61; Canton -73; Dracut -128;
Eastham -72; Falmouth- 68; Georgetown- 140; Hull -85; Marstons
Mills - 27; Martha’s Vinyard -131;Medway -10; Millis -103; Milton -114;
New Bedford -631; Newbury/Merrimac -49; Newburyport -19; Orange
- 252; Oxford -50; Norton -130;Salisbury -27; Sandwich -31; Warwick
-108; Yarmouth -250. DR. Diane Quisenberry and Tammie, CVT,
Animal Hospital of Webster

Dr. Grace Strake and Ben Strake, CVT,

South Coastal Animal Health Oxford ACO Sheila Donohue with
Assistant Cindy Thompson & Friend

2007 Rabies Summary

Courtesy of the MA Department of Public Health

In 2007 there were fewer animals testing positive than in each of the previous 2 years. This decline, in part,
reflects a reduction in animals submitted from Cape Cod. Decreased animal populations and a more educat-
ed population on the topic of rabies likely contributed to this decline.

In 2007, 2,802 specimens were submitted to the State Laboratory Institute for rabies testing. Of these speci-
mens, 152 tested positive for rabies. Raccoons and skunks remain at the top of the charts accounting for 51%
of all positive animals. Enhanced surveillance of raccoons continued on Cape Cod throughout 2007. However,
the rabies virus has significantly diminished the raccoon and skunk populations on Cape Cod leading to fewer
submissions overall in 2007.
...continued on page 18...

17
...rabies summary...continued from page 14...

in 2007 there were fewer animals testing positive than

in each of the previous 2 years. This decline, in part,
reflects a reduction in animals submitted from Cape
Cod. Decreased animal populations and a more edu-
cated population on the topic of rabies likely con-
tributed to this decline.

In 2007, 2,802 specimens were submitted to the State

Laboratory Institute for rabies testing. Of these speci-
mens, 152 tested positive for rabies. Raccoons and
skunks remain at the top of the charts accounting for
51% of all positive animals. Enhanced surveillance of
raccoons continued on Cape Cod throughout 2007.
However, the rabies virus has significantly diminished
the raccoon and skunk populations on Cape Cod lead-
ing to fewer submissions overall in 2007.
Due to the seasonal nature of wild animal activity,
changes in animal submission numbers fluctuate fair-
ly predictably throughout the year. In general, higher
numbers of animals are submitted during the summer
with the lowest numbers of submissions during the
winter. Table 3 shows the highest numbers of sub-
missions occurred during June, July and August. The
lowest numbers of submissions occurred in the winter
months.

In 2007, each of the 14 counties in Massachusetts submitted at least one animal for rabies testing, and all coun-
ties, except Nantucket and Dukes, had at least one positive animal. Middlesex County submitted the highest
number of animals (n = 577), while Worcester County had the highest number of animals test positive (n = 36)
and Berkshire County had the highest proportion of submitted animals testing positive (16%).

This report summarizes data collected on animal specimens sent to the State Laboratory Institute for rabies
testing from January to December 2007. More information is available on the MDPH website at
www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/rabies/rabies.htm.

18
Certification Course for Massachusetts Animal Control Officers
This course is provided by the Animal Control Officers'
Association of Massachusetts (ACOAM) with the sup-
port of the Municipal Police Training Committee
(MPTC), the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the
Massachusetts Society For The Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals, the Humane Society Of the United States,
and numerous individual ACOs and others who give
their resources, time and expertise to this course.
The ACOAM Certification Course has grown since
1987 into the most thorough, well - rounded program
of its kind available in this region, and one of the finest
Animal Control education programs in the country.
This is an intensive course designed to pack as much
vital information as possible into a limited time.
Subjects taught in this course include Equipment
Handling, Animal Capture Techniques and Strategies,
Livestock and Exotic Animal Handling, Wildlife Issues,
Dog Bite Prevention, Animal Health Inspector Duties,
Rabies Protocol, Conducting Selectmen's Hearings,
Record Keeping and Report Writing, Courtroom
Procedures, Crime Scene Investigations, 4th
Amendment & Exceptions to the Warrant, Cruelty
Statutes and Investigating Cruelty Complaints, O.C.
Spray certification plus much more.
ACOAM is holding two Certification Courses this year.
The first session was held in Westfield, MA, March 20
- May 22. The second session will be held in
Ashland, MA, September 18 - November 20.
Complete applications are due by September 1, 2008.
The course totals 80 hours over ten weeks, with class-
es on Thursday of each week from 8:00 AM to 4:00
PM. The cost of $300.00 includes the NACA Training
Guide, capstun certification, numerous informative
handouts for future reference, and one year's mem-
bership in ACOAM and NACA (National Animal
Control Association). Current members of ACOAM
who attend will have their membership extended by a
year. A polo style ACO shirt will be provided for each
student on the first day of class and will be worn by all
students during class. A group graduation picture will
be taken. The cost for each 8 x 10 picture is $10.00.
In order to keep the limited class space available to
those who will benefit the most, applicants who are
currently employed by a city or town in
Massachusetts, the Animal Rescue League of Boston,
or the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals will be given priority.
Full payment for the course is expected on or before
the first day of class. Some scholarships are avail-
able. To receive a scholarship application, contact
Wendy LeSage at 412-245-0302 or
aco@sagedawg.com.
To Register for the ACOAM Certification Course,
please complete the application form below, or down-
load one from the ACOAM website at
www.acoam.com. Previously certified ACOs may
attend days at the ‘08 course for $10. Please notify
ACOAM in advance if/when you plan to attend.
Continuing Education ceritificates will be given to
ACO’s for all attended classes.
APPLICATION FOR ACOAM CERTIFICATION
Name:______________________________________
Home Phone #:_______________________
Home Address:_______________________________
City/Town: ________________ Zip Code:__________
Social Security #: _______________________
Shirt size: S M L XL XXL (circle one)
Complete the following if employed by a municipality
as an ACO or Assistant ACO, or if attending this
course as part of your employment
Employer:___________________________________
Work phone #: _______________________
Work Address:___________________
City/Town: ________________ Zip Code:__________
Fax #: _______________________
E mail: _____________________________________
Supervisor's Name & Title:
________________________________________ __
Phone #: _____________________
Signature of Applicant:
__________________________________________
Checks should be made payable to ACOAM; the full
amount of $300.00 is due on or before the first day of
class. Mail this page with completed form to:
ACOAM Certification Course
Att: Wendy LeSage
P.O. Box 24
Easton, MA. 02356
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2008 Animal Control Officer’s Certification Course Details
The Animal Control Officers’ Association of and turn Right onto Southville Rd. Southville Rd.
Massachusetts (ACOAM) will be offering two Animal becomes Cordaville Rd. Just before a narrow bridge
Control Officer Certification courses in 2008. ACOs turn Left onto Ponderosa Rd.
who are previously certified may sign up at no cost to
attend a class of their choosing; and ACOs who are From the North:
not certified but want to attend a few of the classes Take Rte. 495 South to Exit 21B onto West Main St.,
may sign up for $20.00 per day attending. towards Hopkinton.
Follow above directions
Please contact ACO Patricia Frazer for further infor-
mation regarding the classes at: screech357@com- If you get lost call Cheryl Rudolph, Ashland ACO at
cast.net or (413) 977-8548 (508) 922-3610.

The Spring course will be located at City Hall, 59

Court St. Westfield, MA, and will run for 10 consecu-
tive weeks, every Thursday from March 20, 2008 until
May 22, 2008.

Directions to ACOAM certification course – Education &

Westfield location
From the East: Training
Take Rte .90 West (Mass pike) to Exit 3 – Westfield.
Once past toll booths take a right onto Rte. 10 / 202,
follow South to the rotary.
Bear to your first right at the rotary onto Court St. and
follow through 1 traffic light to #59 Court St., which is
a large red block building with 3 flags in front.
On the right hand side of the street just before the
building is the parking lot - go all the way to the last
parking lot on end and park. Enter the building from
the side near the handicapped parking, and take the
elevator to the 3rd floor. Turn right and room 306 will
be the first room on the right. NATIONAL ANIMAL CONTROL ASSOCIATION
2008 TRAINING CONFERENCE
From the West: June 5-7, ‘08
Take Rte 90 East (Mass pike) to Exit 3 Westfield and Spokane, WA
follow the same directions as above For more information log on to: www.nacanet.org

If you get lost, call Ken Frazer, Westfield ACO /

ACOAM Regional Vice President at 1-413-246-3814. 28TH ANNUAL NEW ENGLAND ANIMAL
CONTROL HUMANE ACADEMY
The Fall course will be located in Ashland at the July 21-25, ‘08
Ashland Fish and Game Club at 3 Ponderosa Rd. Holloway Commons
Ashland, MA, and will be scheduled for 10 consecu- University of New Hampshire
tive weeks, every Thursday from September 18th, Durham, NH
2008 until November 20, 2008. For more information log on to: www.neacha.org

Directions to ACOAM certification course –

Ashland location ACOAM FALL ACADEMY
From the South: Sept 18 - Nov 20, ‘08
Take Rte. 495 North to Exit 21A onto West Main St., Ashland, MA
towards Hopkinton. From West Main St. turn Left onto For more information log on to: www.acoam.com
Cedar St. / Rte. 85. Follow Rte. 85 to Southville Rd.,

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APPLICATION FOR ACOAM MEMBERSHIP
ACO AMS
NEW

Application Type: (Check One) Regional

New Application
Renewal Application
Individual
Individual
Organizational
Organizational
Reports
Annual Membership Dues: $50 Individual
$100 Organizational

Dues include a one-year membership to NACA News,

HSUS Animal Sheltering Magazine, and ACOAM News

Date: ___/___/ 07

Indiv./Org. Name:_________________________________

Work Phone #:_______________________

Work Fax #:_______________________ Malden ACO, Kevin Alkins was recently named
Regional Representative of Middlesex County. Kevin

Email: _____________________________
Address:_______________________________
City/Town: ________________ Zip Code:__________
All mailings will be sent to the above address. This infor-
mation may be published or shared with other agencies.
I am also the Animal Health Inspector for the
City/Town of:_________________________
The information below is for ACOAM contact only and will
not be published.
Individual Member’s
Home Address:_______________________________
City/Town: ________________ Zip Code:__________
East
will be a valuable asset to this region, as he already
brings a great deal to the
ACOAM organization. A special
thanks goes out to Kevin for all
he does for Animal Control.
Last month, several members of
the Eastern Region had a suc-
cessful meeting with ACOAM
Secretary/Cohasset ACO Paul Murphy and Regional
Rep/Malden ACO Kevin Alkins. The meeting focused
on ways in which ACOAM can further address some
of the present issues facing ACOs, such as eutha-
nization, relations with veterinarians and city/town
government officials and politics. The meeting also
included an update on the pending legislation related
to MGL Chapter 140.

Phone #:_______________________ Also in attendance and contributing greatly at this

Email: _____________________________
I do not have access to E-mail, please send my
ACOAM News via USPS
meeting were Saugus ACO Harry Young, Melrose
ACO Diane Kurkjian, Somerville ACO April Terrio,
Revere ACO Tony Masiello and Winthrop ACO Mark
VanBuskirk.

Send this form and make dues payable to: Pat Hogan, Eastern Region VP

ACOAM Treasurer
P.O. Box 24
Easton, MA. 02356

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Lindley,

ACOAM Membership Secretary.

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 2007 - 2008 ACOAM Board &
Committee Members
President Emanuel Maciel, New Bedford ACO
508-991-6366 EMaciel@ci.new-bedford.ma.us

Vice President, Eastern Region Pat Hogan, Medford

Dear Readers, ACO 781-393-2563 phogan@medford.org
It is the mission of the Animal Control Vice President, Western Region Ken Frazier,Westfield
Officer’s Association of Massachusetts to promote ACO 413-564-3129 k.frazer@cityofwestfield.org
and improve through education, and training, the
Secretary Paul Murphy, Cohasset/Norwell ACO
skills, professionalism, knowledge of applicable laws, 781-749-7358 olddogmurph@juno.com
personal safety and job security of animal control
officers employed by cities, town, counties or other Treasurer John Melin, No. Easton ACO
jmelin@easton.ma.us
municipalities located within the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts; to inform and educate the general Sargeant of Arms John Maguranus, Belmont ACO
public of Massachusetts on the responsibilites of 617-993-2724 Jmaguranis@town.belmont.ma.us
animal ownership, and to assist State and local Membership Secretary Michelle Saff, Dennis ACO
government bodies in enacting, improving and enforc- 508-788-5017 michellesaaf@yahoo.com
ing animal control laws that are reasonable and Academy Director Cheryl Malone, Dennis ACO
equitable. 774-352-1400 dogwench@comcast.net
ACOAM
Merchandise Manager Paul Bastable, Canton ACO
781-575-6507 pbastable@town.canton.ma.us
ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM Director of Public Relations & Communications
ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM
Deni Goldman, Hull ACO 781-925-4718
PRODUCTS
ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM ACOAM
ACOAM
ACOAM
dgoldman@town.hull.ma.us

ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM Director of Advocacy & Legislative Affairs
ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM ACOAM
Sweatshirt (BL,BK,WH) $25/$28 Cheryl Malone, Dennis ACO
Hooded Sweatshirt (BL) $28/$30 774-352-1400 dogwench@comcast.net
Polo Shirt (BL, BK, WH) $22/$25
Rabies Advisory Chair Sue Webb, Wellesley ACO
Mock Turtleneck (BL, WH) $20 781-235-8460 Tiwat@aol.com
Hat (BL, BK, BR) $15
Collar Pins (SILV, GOLD) $5 MAC Mass. License Plate ACOAM Representative
Patch $5 Emanuel Maciel, New Bedford ACO For applications:
Window Decal $2 www.massanimalcoalition.org 508-991-6366
Cable Leashes (Set of 3) $10
Nylon Leashes (Min 25) $.75/ea
Cat Collar $1
Chapter 140 Book $10 The next issue of ACOAM News is scheduled to
NACA Training Manual $35 be in circulation in June. The deadline for
Dog Law Book $24 material submissions is August 15. If you have
Hang Tags (500 count) $45 any questions regarding receipt of this
publication, please contact the Editor, Deni at
Multiple prices indicate embroidery options. Products 781-925-4718 or animalcontrol@town.hull.ma.us
can be ordered by contacting Paul Bastable at
Canton Animal Control 781-575-6507.

22