The guest speakers were Jane Decker, Director of Pinal County
Animal Care & Control and Sandie Smith, Pinal County Supervisor
for District 2.
These are the highlights of their presentation:
Animal Care & Control is the middle ground between The Humane Society
and law enforcement.
One of their priorities is to prosecute animal cruelty. They have successfully
prosecuted two cases of animal cruelty/negligence where individuals
have been convicted, including jail time and fines. Animal Care &
Control treats animals in extreme temperatures (hot or cold) as a priority.
If you suspect animal abuse, take pictures and/or video tape to help
the investigation.
In Pinal County dogs must be leashed and licensed. Do not leave dogs
in cars or outside without proper shade. Jane mentioned that
in Pima County dogs cannot be left in cars, anytime.
Jane Decker will put a link to our website www.goldcanyondog.org/PAWAlert
program. She was very impressed with our program and will talk to a
lady in the City of Maricopa to start a PAW Alert of Maricopa as well
as other communities.
There is a “Wish List” at Animal Control, please visit their
website at http://www.co.pinal.az.us/AnimalControl
If you wish to adopt a certain breed, just call 1-800-208-6897 ext.
7228 or 1-520-866-7600 and your name will be put on the list. When they
get that particular breed, they will call you to see if you wish to
come see the animal and adopt him/her.
Jane mentioned the importance of being knowledgeable about
Valley Fever. There is a website that covers the latest “discoveries”
and acts as well as support for the people and/or animals infected by
the disease (DOG has a link in our website)
As a rule, they keep animals in their shelter for 4 to 6 days before
being euthanized. They do work with different animal rescue organizations
to try to save animals.
Sandie mentioned the importance of “spotlighting”
our organization through volunteerism, fundraising, vaccination clinics,
newspaper articles, etc.
Animal Care & Control conducts an annual vaccination clinic in Gold
Canyon. If DOG wants to sponsor another, Jane will support
us.
Jane said that State Statute is: if you find a dog, hold on
to it and if nobody claims him/her for 6 days, it belongs to you.
Jane’s husband Jim suggested contacting pool
companies for a price of cool deck for our future doggie park’s
path instead of cement. It will be much easier on the paws.
DOG will be helping The Village at Copper Basin of Queen Creek, in establishing
an off-leash dog park. Last year Kramer was featured in their Gazette
many times. They may be ready around August of this year. Jane
will give Marta the phone number of the person in charge.
Sandie is still looking for possible sites for our doggie park.
DOG will have a presentation at the seven member commission for Park
& Recreations in Apache Junction. Sandie suggested we ask
Officer Pinson to go with us to the meeting.
On a lighter note Jane said: “At Animal Control, hair
is not an issue – it is a condiment!”
We are very grateful to Jane Decker, her husband
Jim and Sandie Smith for attending our meeting. It
was very rewarding for DOG to receive the recognition of our elected
and appointed officials. Jane said that DOG “is a committed
and energetic group who is trying to establish the first off-leash dog
park in an unincorporated area of Pinal County.” For more information
about Pinal County Animal Care & Control please go to http://pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/AnimalControl/Pages/Home.aspx
