NH Press:Humane society, police shut Dover pet shop

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Posted by Desiree on February 08, 2002 at 12:25:33:

2/8/2

Humane society, police shut Dover pet shop
By BRAD MORIN
DOVER � The Cocheco Valley Humane Society removed 105 animals from Feeding Time, a pet store that sells exotic animals, on Thursday.

William A. Gammon, 27, of 8B Winter St., Dover, was summoned on a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals, according to Dover police Sgt. Thomas Stinglen. Gammon owns the business, which was located at 28 Chapel St.

The seizure took place at about 5 p.m. Animal rescuers carried away various snakes, lizards, iguanas, tarantulas, birds, rabbits and rodents. Some of the animals in the building were dead, Stinglen said, and others were in "obvious ill health."

William and Melissa Gammon opened the business in August. New Hampshire�s state veterinarian, Clifford McGinnis, said Feeding Time voluntarily gave up its pet store license on Thursday.

The Gammons were unavailable for comment.

Police Capt. Gary DeColfmacker said the Police Department had received a report that the building�s power had been shut off and the animals were being neglected. The Police Department�s animal control officer, Kathy Ladisheff, began an investigation with the state.

Almost all of the pet store�s animals were signed over voluntarily to the custody of the Cocheco Valley Humane Society. Executive Director Elizabeth Fourar-Laidi said her organization�s shelter is not equipped to deal with many of the exotic pets so they were assisted by Broken Reptile, a Manchester-based rescue group.

Mike Dillon, president of Broken Reptile, said these animals are extremely difficult to care for and are very expensive. Many need heat lamps and large enclosures.

Neither Dillon nor Fourar-Laidi knew what the rescue would cost.

"I couldn�t even begin to guess for this operation," Dillon said.

Fourar-Laidi said the animals would be available for adoption immediately because they had been signed over. Anyone wishing to make a donation or adopt an animal can call 749-5322.

Before the animals were seized, the city and humane society had wrangled over who would foot the bill, according to Dover Police Chief William Fenniman.

"One of the issues in this case became the fact that Cocheco Valley was interpreting their agreement with the city to read if the Dover police were to seize the animals and turn them over to them, that they were entitled to $10 per day per animal."

Fenniman said, by his calculations, that would cost the city $31,500 per month and more than $378,000 a year. Fenniman said he believed the contract with the Cocheco Valley Humane Society required the city to pay $10 per day for cats and dogs, not mice or snakes.

"I bet Noah�s ark wasn�t built for $378,000," he said.

The Police Department decided to negotiate with the owner to have the animals signed over to the humane society voluntarily. This relieved the city of any financial liability, Fenniman said.

Fourar-Laidi said $10 per day is necessary for all animals � even rodents.

"We�re still paying the same overhead cost," she said. "It�s a service we�re providing for the towns and, actually, it�s a pretty reasonable fee."

The bulk of the costs will now be borne by Cocheco Valley Humane Society and Broken Reptile, but Fourar-Laidi said they will seek restitution from the owners because neither the city nor the nonprofit agencies should be responsible.

"It�s our feeling that the people who own the animals got them into this condition," she said.

Democrat Staff Writer

Humane society, police shut Dover pet shop

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Boy am I glad.... Mr. D 02/09/02 (2)
- Wind chill would have been around 0 degrees. n/p Mark 02/12/02 (0)
- It is always better when it is someone else's money. nm Samcin 02/09/02 (0)

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: 2/8/2 : Humane society, police shut Dover pet shop : By BRAD MORIN : DOVER � The Cocheco Valley Humane Society removed 105 animals from Feeding Time, a pet store that sells exotic animals, on Thursday. : William A. Gammon, 27, of 8B Winter St., Dover, was summoned on a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals, according to Dover police Sgt. Thomas Stinglen. Gammon owns the business, which was located at 28 Chapel St. : The seizure took place at about 5 p.m. Animal rescuers carried away various snakes, lizards, iguanas, tarantulas, birds, rabbits and rodents. Some of the animals in the building were dead, Stinglen said, and others were in "obvious ill health." : William and Melissa Gammon opened the business in August. New Hampshire�s state veterinarian, Clifford McGinnis, said Feeding Time voluntarily gave up its pet store license on Thursday. : The Gammons were unavailable for comment. : Police Capt. Gary DeColfmacker said the Police Department had received a report that the building�s power had been shut off and the animals were being neglected. The Police Department�s animal control officer, Kathy Ladisheff, began an investigation with the state. : Almost all of the pet store�s animals were signed over voluntarily to the custody of the Cocheco Valley Humane Society. Executive Director Elizabeth Fourar-Laidi said her organization�s shelter is not equipped to deal with many of the exotic pets so they were assisted by Broken Reptile, a Manchester-based rescue group. : Mike Dillon, president of Broken Reptile, said these animals are extremely difficult to care for and are very expensive. Many need heat lamps and large enclosures. : Neither Dillon nor Fourar-Laidi knew what the rescue would cost. : "I couldn�t even begin to guess for this operation," Dillon said. : Fourar-Laidi said the animals would be available for adoption immediately because they had been signed over. Anyone wishing to make a donation or adopt an animal can call 749-5322. : Before the animals were seized, the city and humane society had wrangled over who would foot the bill, according to Dover Police Chief William Fenniman. : "One of the issues in this case became the fact that Cocheco Valley was interpreting their agreement with the city to read if the Dover police were to seize the animals and turn them over to them, that they were entitled to $10 per day per animal." : Fenniman said, by his calculations, that would cost the city $31,500 per month and more than $378,000 a year. Fenniman said he believed the contract with the Cocheco Valley Humane Society required the city to pay $10 per day for cats and dogs, not mice or snakes. : "I bet Noah�s ark wasn�t built for $378,000," he said. : The Police Department decided to negotiate with the owner to have the animals signed over to the humane society voluntarily. This relieved the city of any financial liability, Fenniman said. : Fourar-Laidi said $10 per day is necessary for all animals � even rodents. : "We�re still paying the same overhead cost," she said. "It�s a service we�re providing for the towns and, actually, it�s a pretty reasonable fee." : The bulk of the costs will now be borne by Cocheco Valley Humane Society and Broken Reptile, but Fourar-Laidi said they will seek restitution from the owners because neither the city nor the nonprofit agencies should be responsible. : "It�s our feeling that the people who own the animals got them into this condition," she said. : : Democrat Staff Writer

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