Hopewell Council expected to act on agreement Feb. 6
By John Tredrea
An interlocal agreement under which Hopewell Township will provide animal control services to Hopewell Borough for the next five years was approved Monday.
The pact, OK’d by the Hopewell Township Committee, says the township will provide the services for $7,000 this year. The cost will rise incrementally through 2010, when it will be $8,189.
The pact has not been approved yet by Hopewell Borough Council, which, at its Jan. 5 session, tabled the necessary resolution for purposes of future discussion. Borough Administrator/Clerk Michele Hovan said Tuesday the pact will be on council’s Feb. 6 agenda.
A similar pact was approved by Pennington Borough Council on Jan. 9.
Services to be provided under the agreement include:
Stray dog and cat pickup and delivery to shelter.
Injured animal pickup and delivery to veterinarian.
Animal bite investigations.
Investigation of potentially rabid animals.
Court appearances for enforcement.
Routine patrols as needed.
Not included in the scope of services are deer pickup, rabies clinics, dog licensing, annual canvassing of licensed dogs, veterinary charges and shelter fees.
Emergency services will be provided at the borough’s request during nonbusiness hours.
Deemed emergencies by the interlocal agreement are:
Cruelty or suspected cruelty to animals.
Sick or injured domestic animals.
Any case in which there is risk of personal injury as a result of contact with an animal.
An animal bite case resulting in serious injury or involving unidentified animals or any other case warranting rabies testing.