Quincy may update laws on stray animals

Local group helps with placing animals

QUINCY - Stray dogs and cats in Quincy may receive more time.

Members of Claws and Paws and the Quincy Police Department are working to form new ordinances about holding cats and dogs.

The present ordinance states if a stray dog isn't claimed within 72 hours it can be put to death.

"Luckily, the city hasn't made us go by that," said Holly Petersen-Wyatt, Claws and Paws vice president.

Petersen-Wyatt said they hoped to develop a system where the dogs and cats could be held for a three-day evaluation period. If the dog trainers determine the animal is too wild or sick for adoption then it would be euthanized.

Once the evaluation is finished, the animal would be held at the shelter for 30 days, or until Claws and Paws could find a home for the animal, she said. The shelter hasn't dealt with having a dog too long.

"This way we can match them with a home during the 30-day adoption period," she said. "Most of them are adopted before the end of the 30-day period."

Police Chief William Gonzales said the majority of adopted animals leave the Quincy area and he was hoping to have a revised ordinance in front of the council soon.

"It's been a really good partnership," he said.