Brewster Police Department

Animal Control

ARL Rabies/Microchip Clinic - click here

Lynda Brogden-Burns has joined the Brewster Police Department as the Town’s full time Animal Control Officer. Officer Brogden-Burns will investigate animal complaints of loose dogs, dog and cat bites, animal cruelty and respond to calls for any animal in distress including sick or injured wildlife. The Animal Control Officer will also conduct educational programs and provide advice regarding animal care and wildlife control. The Animal Control vehicle has all of the necessary equipment to handle most animal related situations.

Lynda has spent the last 24 years with the Animal Rescue League of Boston as the League’s Cape Cod Shelter Manager. Lynda was also a Massachusetts Special State Police Officer investigating cases of animal cruelty. She spent her youth working for the Bahamas Humane Society before moving to Cape Cod. She is a graduate of the Plymouth Police Academy, the Animal Control Officers Association of Massachusetts Academy, the National Cruelty Investigators School and the National Horse Abuse Investigators School. She has also received extensive training in animal handling, animal behavior, animal rescue and pets in disaster preparedness.

The Brewster Police Department welcomes Animal Control Lynda Brogden-Burns to our department!

Animal Control is available to assist individuals or groups with any animal related problems or concerns and can be reached at the Police Department at 508-896-7011 ext 358 or by e-mail at lbrogden@town.brewster.ma.us

Recent Rescues

	Screech Owl Rescue - March 2008 The Brewster Police Department received a call about an owl trapped in a house under construction. Animal Control Officer Lynda Brogden-Burns responded and located a Screech Owl that had somehow managed to find its way into the house but was unable to find its way back out. With the help of the contractor doors and windows were opened and the bird was able to find its way out. It flew away unharmed.
	Skunk Rescue August 2007 The Brewster Police Department received a call from a resident who discovered a skunk with a plastic cup stuck on its head. Animal Control Officer Lynda Brogden-Burns was dispatched to evaluate the situation. On arrival Officer Brogden-Burns carefully approached the skunk. The skunk had put its head into a domed plastic drink cup to lick the contents and was unable to get its head back out. Using a restraint pole Officer Brogden-Burns attached the loop around the cup and tried to pull the cup off the skunks head. When that did not work Officer Brogden-Burns used scissors to cut the domed portion of the cup near the skunk’s neck and was able to free the skunk that thankfully did not spray! Once free the skunk quickly ran off into the woods. Please remember to dispose of your trash properly. Your discarded items such as yogurt containers, hot and cold drink cups, balloons, plastic six-pack rings, fishing line and hooks will harm wildlife and the environment.
	Skunk Rescue July 2007 The Brewster Police Department received a call about baby skunks trapped in a downspout catch drain at a summer cottage. Luckily for them, a young man staying at the cottage heard a noise and went to investigate. When he found the baby skunks he called for help. Officer Lynda Brogden-Burns responded. There were three baby skunks in the drain which was about 18 inches deep. It had concrete sides and the kits could not climb out on their own. Officer Brogden-Burns picked one skunk up at a time in a net and put them in a box. She checked the skunks over and found they seemed to be in good health and did not appear to have been trapped for a long period of time. The trio was released in the woods nearby the cottage and they scampered off happily!
	Raccoon Rescue May 2007 While tree workers were removing a dead tree that had become a danger they were startled as a large raccoon came out of the tree and fled into the nearby woods. Looking further they discovered a family of baby raccoons. Not wanting the babies to be harmed during the tree removal they contacted the Brewster Police Department. Animal Control Officer Lynda Brogden-Burns responded to the scene. What was left of the tree was approximately 15 feet high. Officer Brogden-Burns requested the assistance of the Brewster Fire Department for a ladder. Climbing the ladder Officer Brogden-Burns located five baby raccoons in a hollowed out section of the tree, about 4 feet deep. Using a restraint pole she removed the babies one at a time and they were secured in a crate on the ground. The babies, who were approximately 7 weeks old and appeared to be healthy, were released in the wooded area where the mother raccoon was last seen.
	Fox Rescue October 2006 In October 2006 Animal Control Officer, Lynda Brogden-Burns, received a call from some Brewster residents about a sick fox in their garage. Officer Brogden-Burns was able to capture the fox who was thin and had mange. The fox was transported to the Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable. The fox responded well to treatment and, five weeks later, when it was ready to be released the Wildlife Center contacted Officer Brogden-Burns. When the weather conditions were right for the release Officer Brogden-Burns picked the fox up from Barnstable and took it back to the same Brewster neighborhood it was found in. The fox, who had gained weight and now had a nice healthy coat of fur, ran off into the woods. Photo by The Cape Codder

Rabies/Microchip Clinic

On Saturday, July 21, 2007 Brewster Animal Control co-hosted a low cost rabies/microchip clinic with the Animal Rescue League at the Drummer Boy Park in Brewster. The clinic was successful with 23 dogs and 12 cats receiving rabies vaccinations and 36 dogs and 9 cats being micro chipped.

A microchip is a permanent identification chip, about the size of a grain of rice, which is implanted between the shoulder blades of a dog or cat using a syringe, much like how a vaccination is given. Each microchip has a unique number which is registered in a national database with the owners name, address and telephone number. If the animal becomes lost and is later found by an Animal Control Officer, or turned in to an animal shelter, it is scanned to check for the presence of a microchip. If a chip is detected the officer calls the database and the owner of the pet is located. If the owner moves or gives the pet to another person they can call a toll free number to update the information in the database to keep it current at all times. A microchip is an added safety identification but does not replace the need for the pet to wear a collar and tag.

All cats and dogs must have a current rabies vaccination by State Law and all dogs over six months old must be licensed

Brewster In Bloom

For the April 2007 Brewster in Bloom Parade the Brewster Police Department entered the Animal Control Vehicle (K9) driven by Lynda Brogden-Burns. K9 towed the Police boat which is used to patrol Long Pond during the season. Lynda's Labrador Retriever, "Dylan," also participated in the parade!

Education Program

Animal Control Officer Lynda Brogden-Burns along with her canine assistant “Dylan” (Lynda’s own dog), a 2 year old black Labrador Retriever, was joined by Dawn Lee-Laub from the Animal Rescue League at the Laurel School for a humane education program with the students. Lynda used “Dylan” to demonstrate dog obedience skills and “Dylan” performed several tricks to the delight of all. The children were encouraged to interact with “Dylan” to show how a well trained dog can fit into many situations. Sometimes children who do not have contact with animals on a regular basis have an unjustified fear of animals that may result in injury to the child or the animal. Lynda talked about what to do if wildlife is seen and the danger of rabies. Dawn showed the children a film about the Animal Rescue League and brought an adoptable ferret and a rabbit from the shelter for the children to interact with.

The Brewster Police Animal Control is committed to reaching out, through education programs, to promote understanding and humane treatment of all animals

For more photo's from the Laurel School Humane Education Program visit, http://laurel-school.com/gallery.htm#Animals

Animal Emergencies

If you see an animal in distress call your local Police Department or Animal Control Officer.
If you have an emergency with your own pet call your veterinarian.
There is a 24 hour, 7 day a week animal emergency center in Dennis, MA:
Cape Animal Referral and Emergency Center (CARE)
79 Thoephilus Smith Road
South Dennis, MA
508-398-7575
www.carevet.vetnetwork.net

Dog Licenses

Massachusetts law requires all dogs must be licensed within 30 days of moving into town or of the dog becoming 6 months of age. Proof or Rabies vaccination must be presented in order to obtain a license.
Brewster Dog Licenses are available at the Town Hall, Clerk’s Office at 2198 Main Street, Brewster, MA (508-896-4506)
Dog licenses are also available through the mail.
Send your dogs’ current rabies certificate (and spay/neuter certificate if applicable), with the following information:
Your name, address and telephone number and the dog’s name, breed, age and color
Along with the fee to:
Town Clerk
2198 Main Street
Brewster, MA 02631
The License period in Brewster is April 1st to March 31st each year. DOGS MUST BE LICENSED EVERY YEAR.
Fees: Spayed and Neutered dogs $ 6.00
Un-spayed and Un-neutered dogs $12.00

Rabies Vaccinations

Massachusetts State Law requires all dogs and cats 6 months of age or older be currently vaccinated against rabies. Ferrets must also receive rabies vaccinations.

	Rabies Information		For Rabies Information go to www.mass.gov./dph/cdc/epii/rabies.htm
	Dogs on the Beaches		Board of Health regulations prohibit dogs from all beaches in the Town of Brewster between June 1^st and October 1^st. They are permitted the rest of the year.
	Lost Pets		If you have lost a pet in Brewster call the Animal Control Officer at 508-896-7011 ext. 358 and leave your name and number and a description of the animal. Stray animals picked up by the Animal Control Officer in Brewster are held at the Animal Rescue League, 3981 Main St. (Rte 6A), Brewster, MA. (508-255-1030) Stray dogs are held for 10 days by State Law. If the dog is not claimed it is evaluated for possible adoption. There is no official State holding time for stray cats. State Law requires that all dogs wear a current dog license and rabies tag on their collar. It is a good idea to also have an identification tag on your dog with your telephone number. Cats should also wear a collar and identification tag. Microchips are a good, permanent identification for your pet. Ask your veterinarian about microchipping.
	Tips for finding a lost pet		Notify local Animal Control Officers Notify local Animal Shelters Notify local Veterinarians Search your neighborhood – look under deck and sheds. If the missing pet is a cat, also look up in trees. Circular flyers Place an ad in local newspapers
	Found Pets		If you find a stray dog call your local Police Department or Animal Control Officer. Use caution when approaching a stray dog. If a healthy stray cat is “hanging” around your house do NOT feed it. If the cat continues to stay in the area longer and appears to be losing weight call your local Animal Control Officer. If there is a sick stray cat in your area call your local Animal Control Officer. Use caution when approaching a stray cat.
	Unwanted Pets		If you can no longer keep your pet call your local Animal Shelter. Animal Rescue League of Boston Cape Cod Branch 3981 Main St. (Rte 6A) Brewster, MA. 508-255-1030 www.arlboston.org DIRECTIONS TO ARL BREWSTER To Brewster from the East (Hyannis/Sagamore Bridge): Follow Rte 6 to Exit 12. At the end of the ramp turn left onto Rte 6A towards Brewster. The Animal Rescue League is approximately half (1/2) a mile on the right. To Brewster from the West (Provincetown): Follow Rte 6 to Exit 12. At the bottom of the ramp turn right onto Rte 6A towards Brewster. The Animal Rescue League is approximately a quarter (1/4) mile on the right. Massachusetts SPCA Cape Cod Branch Falmouth Road Centerville, MA 508-775-0940 www.mspca.org Do NOT leave your animal behind or turn it loose. Abandoning animals is a violation of State Law

	Spay/Neuter Assistance		If you cannot afford to have your pet spayed or neutered there are several programs available to assist you. Contact the animal shelters listed above for more information on their programs.
	Cruelty to Animals		If you know, or suspect, an animal of any kind is being abused or neglected call your local Police Department, Animal Control Officer or Animal Shelter/Humane Society.
	Humans bitten or scratched by domestic animals		Report all animal bites that break the skin to your local Animal Inspector. In Brewster the Animal Control Officer is also the Animal Inspector for animal bites. If you are bitten by a stray animal try to contain the animal if at all possible so that it can be captured and observed for the 10 day quarantine period.
	Humans or domestic pets bitten, scratched or licked by wildlife		When a person or a domestic pet is bitten, scratched or licked by a wild animal it is considered a rabies exposure. The rabies virus is transmitted by the saliva of an infected animal. The wound or site of exposure should be vigorously washed with soap and hot water for at least ten (10) minutes. Medical and/or Veterinary attention should be sought as soon as possible. If at all possible the animal that bit MUST be captured for rabies testing.
	Wildlife		If you see a sick or injured wild animal call your local Animal Control Officer for assistance. Other organizations that can give advice or assistance with wildlife are: Wildcare in Eastham 508-240-2255 Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable 508-362-0111 Carapace in Brewster 508-896-2464 Animal Rescue League in Brewster 508-255-1030
	Wildlife Information		More information on wildlife can be obtained from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Bourne 508-759-3406 Boston 617-626-1590 www.masswildlife.org
	Nuisance Wildlife		The Brewster Police Department/Animal Control Department does not trap healthy wildlife, nor are traps loaned out for this purpose.

We at the Brewster Police Department would like to give special thanks to the Animal Rescue League Of Boston's Brewster Branch for all their help and support with the animals of Brewster!

Skunk Rescue August 2007