animalcontrol

Animal Control

The Animal Control Department consists of one Animal Control Officer (ACO),
who is assisted by the members of the Old Orchard Beach PD as needs and
availability dictate. The ACO is responsible for enforcing the states animal
welfare statutes, and any ordinances pertaining to animals which are enacted by
the town of Old Orchard Beach.

The ACO’s normal work hours are Monday thru Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm with
weekends and holidays off, these times are covered by the police department,
but the ACO may be recalled if the shift supervisor deems it necessary. All animal
complaints should be reported to the Old Orchard Beach Dispatch Center, which
can be reached by calling 934-4911 any time day or night.

If you have a complaint regarding wild animals the ACO or a police officer will
contact you initially but you may be referred to the Maine State Department of
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, which has an office in the town of Gray. This is due
to restrictions in the law which limits what agencies or persons can deal with
problems which are caused by wild animals.

Old Orchard Beach maintains an animal shelter at 192 Portland Avenue. Any
animals which are “at large” are taken to the kennel if their owners can not be
readily located. There is a fine of $15.00 to claim your animal from the shelter for
the first offense, the fine fro each subsequent offense is $30.00. The town also
maintains a dog park next to the kennel and a new dog park is being built on
Heath Street, next to AZ’s market.

You can contact the ACO directly during normal business hours by calling 934-
5714 ext. 236; this number is for business only, anyone wishing to make a
complaint or to report an animal related emergency must call 934-4911.

Rabies:
As a general rule any animal with fur can carry and transmit the rabies virus.
State law also requires that all cats and dogs (except wolf hybrids) must be
vaccinated against rabies. If you or your pet has contact with a wild animal and
you are bitten, scratched, or get the animal’s blood or saliva on you please call
the Police Department immediately. If a bat is found in the room where you sleep
and you believe it was their while you were sleeping, please contact the ACO as
soon as possible as you are at risk of exposure to the rabies virus.
If you desire more information on rabies please call the Maine Center for Disease
Control’s 24 hour rabies hot line at 1-800-821-5821

West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis:
If you notice a dead bird and you are concerned you need to call the Maine
Bureau of Health at 1-800-697-5846. They will ask you some questions such as
what type of bird it is, the date and time you first noticed it, and the condition of
the carcass. If the Bureau of Health asks you to bring the bird in to the ACO for
testing they will give you an identification number, the state testing lab and the
ACO will not accept any bird that doesn’t have an identification number. You may
safely handle most dead birds by wearing disposable rubber gloves, and then
placing the bird inside of two clear plastic bags, do not place the bird in a
refrigerator, or cooler used for food storage. Currently the only birds being
tested for West Nile Virus are members of the Corvid family, which includes blue
jays, crows, and ravens.

Dog Licensing:
All dogs over 6 moths old must be licensed according to state law. To get a
license the dog’s owner must bring the following information to the Town Clerks
Office, an up to date rabies certificate. If your dog is spayed or neutered, and
you bring a copy of the spay/neuter certificate with you, your dog may licensed at
a reduced rate. If you have any questions please call the Town Clerks Office at
934-5714 ext.224.