Carroll County Employment

OXFORD

Concerned residents called the Oxford police the week before Christmas to report their fears that no one was feeding or caring for the animals in the towns animal shelter. Other animal-lovers wrote on blogs that they feared for the animals lives.

The lock on the door of the old shelter had been changed, preventing volunteer feeders and caretakers from entering the building. Those volunteers claimed that careful observation saw no one entering the old building, which is dwarfed by the new animal shelter under construction next door.

Joseph M. Zeneski, town manager, said all is well, and that the seven cats that had been housed in the shelter will be living in Leicester until the new shelter opens, probably in late January.

Though details on the cause of the changes are scarce, he said, There is a personnel issue. I cannot speak of personnel issues in public.

He also declined to comment on the status of the towns part-time animal control officer, Sheila S. Donohue, except to say that he had learned through a newspaper article that she had applied for a similar position in Dudley.

Ms. Donohue said she is animal control officer in both Dudley and Oxford, though, I am on paid administrative leave at this time in Oxford. I love Oxford, where I live and brought up my son. I think we have a wonderful community. I have every intention of remaining animal control officer in Oxford and Dudley. Both towns have a lot of animal-lovers. I love what I do and I do what I love.

She said she could not discuss issues related to her status in Oxford and said she has been working in Dudley since Oct. 3.

Mr. Zeneski said he wants to dispel rumors that are raging through Oxford that the towns animals are in a kill shelter.

He said Patricia D. Dykas, owner of Barton Brook Kennel and Animal Health Complex in Leicester, has been a temporary part-time animal control officer in Oxford for years and is caring for the towns animals at her shelter.
Pat does not run a kill shelter, which is a contradiction in terms. She runs a placement shelter, he said.

Ms. Dykas said she was shocked by the anonymous written and verbal attacks she has suffered since agreeing to care for the Oxford cats.

I went on the Friends of Oxford Animal Shelter Facebook page. Things written about me there were lies. I replied and asked who was writing this stuff, so I could talk to them. My posting was deleted, and I am blocked from the site.

She said she had another surprise shortly after she was asked to step in and take over for Ms. Donohue.
She went to the Oxford shelter with an assistant to feed the cats, and was greeted by an inspector from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which had been contacted by someone from Oxford.

The MSPCA said that, for our safety and for the safety of the animals, I should remove them from the old shelter, so I did. There is no running water in the old shelter, which has little heat. The seven cats are now safe, warm and fed in Leicester, Ms. Dykas said.

She said the rumor that she runs a kill shelter is misleading.

Every animal shelter, even those called no-kill shelters euthanize animals that are ill or dangerous, she said.
She is the animal control officer for Leicester and also contracts with Leicester, Worcester and Paxton to house animals at Barton Brook, which is an animal shelter for municipalities, she said.

As such, she receives no donations and deals only with cities and towns by contract.

She said over the decades, she has cared for and placed thousands of animals, including, in 2011, approximately 400 cats, dogs, snakes, geckos, ferrets, birds, iguanas and other animals taken or rescued by animal control personnel.

Eleven motherless, 3-week-old pit bull puppies came in a short while ago. We raised them on our own nickel and placed them all. Towns and cities only pay for 10 days. Weve had some animals for a year or more. We are not a kill shelter, she said.

She said she has had to euthanize animals that are suffering or dangerous, and she holds one of four licenses issued by the state for an animal crematorium, which could lead to rumors.

People want to keep the ashes of their beloved pets. Thats a service we can offer, she said.
She said the seven cats from Oxford all are friendly and appear to be healthy. As soon as they are given shots and cleared by her veterinarian, they will be available for adoption.

We have a huge network, a lot of adoption resources. Im sure they will find good homes, she said.

Anyone interested in adopting any of the seven cats or 20 others I have can call 508-892-0321 for an appointment.

As for the future of animal control in Oxford, Mr. Zeneski said he has been working with administrators from Leicester and Auburn for months on a plan to regionalize animal control services.

Julie A. Jacobson, town manager of Auburn, confirmed that she has been working with Mr. Zeneski and Robert Reed, town administrator of Leicester, to put together a request for proposals for regional animal control services.

Darleen Wood is our assistant dog officer, and Sheila Donohue is contracted through the Board of Health to do animal inspections, Ms. Jacobson said.

Ms. Dykas said the goal of all those involved in municipal animal control is the same.

Our whole purpose is to eliminate suffering. That is what we do for those with no voice and no choice.