Zweigle delivers annual Bridgeport dog control report

BRIDGEPORT – Animal Control officer Bill Zweigle delivered his annual report to the regular meeting of the city council on Wednesday, Feb. 19, and recited figures related to numbers of incident calls, dogs caught, claimed or transported to shelters and other details.
Over the past 10 years Zweigle has captured some 630 loose dogs for a yearly average of about 63 dogs annually. Figures for 2019 include:
● 53 dogs picked up, 29 of those claimed.
● Unclaimed dogs sent to Wenatchee Humane Society (WHS) no-kill shelter.
● 191 callouts compared to 254 in 2018.
● 101 follow-ups. 116 in 2018.
● 34 dogs transported to WHS.
Bridgeport Bar area:
● 14 dogs picked up. Seven claimed.
● 48 callouts. 84 in 2018 with 23 claimed, seven to WHS
● Nine dog bites (usually 4-5 in past years)
Zweigle acknowledged that while no pit bull dogs were involved in dog bite incidents the number of bites was still excessive.
“There are too many dogs running at large,” said Zweigle of the proportion of dogs to residents in the area he covers.
Zweigle also thanked the council for authorizing 10 extra hours last year to allow him to spend more time in the field. He also suggested that the council consider donating dog food to WHS for its help picking up and transporting unclaimed dogs to its facility.
“Maybe one bag around the Fourth of July and one bag around Christmas,” said Zweigle. “They never turn down dog food or dog bones.”
Zweigle had a couple of other observations. He said he was pleased to see several youngsters walking their dogs on leashes recently.
“Too many dogs are on chains 24/7,” Zweigle said.
He also noted the nigh number of dogs already picked up in 2020.
“I already have 14 to date,” Zweigle said.
The city recently sent an advisory letter with the utility bills to all residents reminding them that dogs in the city must be licensed. The reminder produced results in the form of license fees according to city clerk/treasurer Judy Brown.
“We've already made as much money as we made all last year,” Brown said.