Orange Selectmen Vote to Join Milford Animal Control

The Board of Selectmen met in executive session on Monday to discuss a last minute proposal from Woodbridge regarding the tri-town animal shelter. On Wednesday, after much consideration, the Board unanimously voted to join Milford Animal Control, when the next fiscal year begins on July 1.

The selectmen said the Milford contract was far more specific in what it would offer than the Woodbridge offer with a re-worked administrative structure, in which the the District Animal Control (DAC) entity would be dissolved and the Woodbridge Police Department would be responsible for the animal control duties.

Orange's decision was not one that was taken lightly. In December 2010, the selectmen voted to submit a letter of intent to withdraw from DAC, and in the six months since, several things have happened.

Employees formed a union; a DAC Commissioner allegedly stole a neighbor's cat — and admitted to it — but to date has refused to return it; and Bethany submitted its own letter of intent to withdraw from DAC.

The contract with Milford offers great service from an exemplary shelter and at a lower cost to the town of Orange.

This said, Bethany is now free to decide what path it will take — stay with Woodbridge or join a neighboring community's animal control.