Canine parvo solutions remain a topic of concern in Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT – City Animal Control Officer Randy Stanley made a return visit to the regular meeting of the Bridgeport City Council last Wednesday, Sept. 21, to update members about the status of the parvo virus among city dogs, an issue he brought to the council’s attention at the August meeting.

Stanley’s message was simple and to the point: “It has gotten out of hand,” Stanley said.

The incidence of the highly contagious canine disease is growing within the city according to the latest reports Stanley has received from the Wenatchee pound.

This month the last five dogs I sent to Wenatchee, four of them have tested positive,” said Stanley. “They are not taking parvo dogs.”

Stanley said his procedure involves observation of dogs to determine if they show symptoms of infection. Those infected with parvo are euthanized.

“That’s the remedy of it,” Stanley said.

Stanley said that of the 10 dogs he has sent to the Wenatchee shelter this month, nine have come back positive for parvo.

“Four of those died,” said Stanley, “and they were young ones,”

To inform residents about the parvo problem Stanley said he enlisted the assistance of deputy city clerk Ariana Auburto to include a Spanish translation of a flyer included with the September water bills explaining the disease and advising citizens to have their dogs vaccinated.

Unlike rabies which can be spread to humans and requires mandatory dog vaccinations, parvo cannot be transmitted to humans so canine vaccination is voluntary. Parvo vaccination is included in a veterinarian’s recommended regimen of canine treatment.

Council members discussed options

Mayor Janet Conklin said she has reached out to city attorney Julie Norton to see if the city can legally require a parvo test, paid by the owner, before a dog is release from impoundment.

Public Works Superintendent Stuart Dezellem suggested changing the city code to require proof of parvo vaccination at the time of updating a city dog license.

“I have picked up 60-plus dogs during the time I have done this,” said Stanley. “You could probably count on one hand how many actually had a city tag.”

Stanley pointed out that there are provisions already in the city code that assess penalties for letting a dog run at large, trespass, harboring a sick animal, walking a dog without a dog waste bag, and other violations not presently being enforced.

The council will revisit the issue after conferring with the city attorney to determine what can be legally done to update the code.