THE GOOD AND BAD OF ANIMAL CONTROL CONTRACTING

Last week's uproar over animal control, in which the Township chose to dismiss Animal Control Officer Debbie Hadu and replace her with an outside contractor in Newark, made us wonder what we are getting for our money.

A look at the contract with Associated Human Societies of Newark, a $41,000 deal that has the non-profit group responding to animal control calls and holding strays and others for up to seven days, finds some give and take from the current arrangement with Hadu, who is paid about the same.

For one, the arrangement includes the sheltering of such animals when needed, a service Hadu could not provide, but which was provided by JAC of South Orange before it closed.

Health Officer Robert Roe also pointed out that AHS will conduct a twice-per-year cat and dog census, a service currently not done. He also said AHS is providing a $60 service of offering rabies shots, spaying/neutering and inserting a microchip if owners request.

On the downside, however, AHS can take up to 45 minutes, by contract, to respond from Newark to calls. Roe also added, "having a local person, she could look at a dog and know whose dog it was, that is something we will probably lose."

The cost, meanwhile, is about the same. But as TC member Jerry Ryan pointed out to us in an email, "Her salary is not the only expense eliminated by the contract. You have to factor in (employee) benefit costs, vehicle costs, etc."

If you have other questions, call the Health Department HERE.