Town of Richmond officials agreed May 12 on a new procedure to deal with stray dogs in the community.
The change comes after a town supervisor shot and killed two stray dogs last month, albeit in accordance with town policy at the time.
Town officials will now call the Shawano County Humane Society to assist the town’s constable with picking up stray dogs. The animals will be housed at the humane society at no cost to the town.
The town will also post photographs of stray dogs reported to them on its social media accounts to help reunite the animals with their owners.
Community residents collected hundreds of signatures asking the board to end the practice of shooting stray dogs.
“I’m really happy that they are going to use who we have for catchers to come in and help out,” said Pam Nowak, executive director of the humane society. “I’m grateful they will reach out to us when they have a stray dog.”
On April 8, Town Supervisor Ken Damveld, acting in accordance with local and state policy, killed two dogs that appeared to have been abandoned. At least one of the dogs appeared aggressive, according to a report filed by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department.
Ken Damveld’s son, Steve Damveld, is the town constable but is regularly out of town several days a week. Ken Damveld fills in upon request.
Town Chairman Steve Gueths hopes the matter is now settled.
“It’ll be nice to get this behind us,” he said. “I hope what we did tonight will do that.”
“We now have a path. We have a plan; we can work together,” Nowak said. “We all understand, and we’re clear.”
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