TELL US: Should Shelter Animals Get Public Hearing?

Should shelter animals, owned by the town, get a hearing or should the current policy of the animal control officer being able to deem them dangerous and then taking action stay in place?

  Last week, Mansfield residents voiced their opinions concerning the euthanization of a pit bull, named Rocco, who was deemed dangerous by animal control officer Jeffrey Collins. The current law states any pet in the shelter is by definition owned by the town. Selectmen chairman Olivier Kozlowski said that the board can't direct the police chief or the animal control officer to take any action concerning animal issues. If the dog is owned by a citizen, there is a hearing held by the selectmen before a decision is made. During a recent Mansfield selectmen meeting, selectman George Dentino said that since the town owned the animals, the town should, by the civil board, be able to decide as to what to do with the animal. “When the town is …

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