PUEBLO – For the time being there’s no official animal law enforcement presence in the city or county of Pueblo as PAWS for Life says their contract has come to an end.
The organization was still handling this side of the animal issue in the region after Community Animal Services Pueblo, which was under their organization, surrendered the license to operate last week.
A Facebook post from PAWS for Life states, “a total of 31 stray dogs were picked up prior to noon today.. Several have been returned to their owners, but the remainder are still being kenneled at PAWs for Life.”
A spokesperson for the City of Pueblo says until a contract can be reached with a new provider, law enforcement will only respond to calls for animal bites, injured animals or aggressive animals.
In next week’s Pueblo City Council meeting, members will consider and vote on an emergency ordinance for a 90-day contract with the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region to manage the animal shelter.
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) managed the city and county animal shelter for several years before a new three-year contract was awarded to PAWS for Life in December.
The emergency ordinance calls for HSPPR to accept animals brought in by law enforcement 24/7 and to provide access to law enforcement personnel at all times.
Costs for running the facility will be $5,500 per day with 55% paid by the City of Pueblo and 45% paid by Pueblo County. HSPPR will receive $25,000 up front in “start-up” costs. It is unclear what remedies HSPPR will need to implement immediately in taking over the facility hit with several infractions while under different management.
The contract calls for working towards reaching a long-term agreement with a vendor to manage the Animal Shelter and Animal Law Enforcement. Failure of HSPPR to find a vendor within 60 days will lead to a non-extension of a contract with the city and county.
Late last month, the animal shelter in Pueblo was taken over by the Department of Agriculture as Community Animal Services Pueblo surrendered the license amid an investigation into practices and actions of personnel running the facility.
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