DERBY - The Oxford Animal Control office is trying to find homes for seven dogs that were discovered to be living in deplorable conditions at the Derby dog pound this weekend after the city’s former animal control officer abruptly resigned on Friday.
The Oxford animal control office is also helping to provide animal control coverage in Derby until the city finds a replacement for Joe Klapcik, who walked away from his job as Derby's animal control officer on Friday, leaving animals to fend for themselves until Derby police and Oxford animal control officials stepped in to help.
In a four-sentence news release sent out on Monday morning, Derby Lt. Sal Frosceno said Klapcik “abruptly resigned” on Friday after previously informing the city that effective April 30 he was “planning to terminate his part-time position.”
“Acting on Klapcik’s April 30th timeline, the City of Derby was exploring options for his replacement,” Frosceno stated in the release. “In response to his untimely departure, Oxford Animal Control agreed to provide coverage in the interim, which includes emergency calls and maintenance of the Derby Animal Control Shelter.”
Frosceno told Oxford Patch Monday that he was meeting with Oxford animal control officials today to further discuss how animal control there is going to be run.
He said he’s heard the same stories that Oxford Patch had been hearing - that some of the animals were living in poor conditions and some had injuries due to neglect - but said he could not confirm any of those allegations. Derby police have not yet determined whether animal cruelty charges can be brought against the Klapcik.
“We’re looking into that to determine whether an internal affairs investigation is warranted,” Frosceno said.
According to reports from people close to the situation, who spoke to Oxford Patch on condition of anonymity, an emaciated rabbit with its ribs showing was found at the Derby shelter on Friday; that rabbit has now been placed in a good home. And we’ve been told that a Pit Bull had to be immediately transported to a local veterinarian because it had serious medical conditions that were not taken care of. Another Pit Bull will likely be seen by a vet because of a medical condition. And all of the animals are expected to live.
Karuna Bully Rescue, a nonprofit organization based in New Haven that places Pit Bulls into loving homes, has been called to help.
Oxford Animal Control Officer Sandy Merry said Monday she could not discuss the situation because it’s being handled by Derby Police. She and Oxford animal control volunteers were at the Derby pound on Monday where they are looking after animals.
“We have seven dogs here that desperately need loving homes,” she said.
Anyone interested in adopting a dog can call the Oxford Animal Shelter at 203.881.3653. The shelter is going to screen for good, loving homes, Merry said.
The Derby shelter has a volunteer looking after the pound currently. She is accepting donations of dry food, canned food, dog leashes, biscuits, dog collars, etc. Anyone who wants to donate those materials can call Adrienne at 203.545.1904.
A new Facebook page for the Derby Animal Shelter has been set up. Someone who runs that site wrote:
“Thank you all for your immediate response and support of our new page! These wonderful dogs need all the help and exposure they can get after having had very little up until now. Let's continue to share and all help to turn over a new leaf for the Derby Animal Shelter!”
The Valley Independent Sentinel has reported that the Derby Animal Control office had a high kill rate of animals under Klapcik’s tenure. Click here to read the Sentinel’s coverage of this case.
