University of Virginia Library

Albemarle Supervisors Appoint Warden
To Enforce University Leash Regulations

The Albemarle County
Board of Supervisors June 21
appointed a deputy dog
warden who will impound all
dogs running at large on the
Grounds after July 1.

The warden, W. Alan
Hoffman, will be known as
University Animal Control
Officer. Although he is
deputized by the county, the
University will pay his salary
and the Board of Supervisors
will have no liability for him.
However, he will enforce
county leash laws, modified, if
an when they are effected this
summer. Mr. Hoffman will also
serve as University Safety
Officer.

The appointment follows
dog leash regulations
announced by the University
Board of Visitors December 8.

The Board's resolution
followed numerous reports of
possibly rabid dogs biting
pedestrians on the Grounds.

Dogs present "a serious
danger" to University students,
the Board said at that time,
resolving that because "an
inordinate number of stray
dogs are frequenting the
Grounds...creating a hazard to
pedestrians and bicyclists.
dog owners must keep their
animals on a leash" on
University property at all
times.

The Board gave University
President Edgar F. Shannon Jr.
power to implement the
regulations. Mr. Hoffman has
been training with the
Albemarle County dog warden
since February.

The Board of Supervisors
will consider a leash law
applicable to certain parts of
Albemarle County at a public
hearing July 19, according to
Lettie E. Neher, Board Clerk.

University Legal Adviser
Neill H. Alford Jr. has
requested the Board of
Supervisors to make any leash
law applicable to the Grounds
to avoid any question of
legality of enforcement of
leash regulations.

However, the University
will not fine offenders, and the
county ordinance will impose
fines, if passed. Mr. Shannon
will modify the regulations
accordingly if an when it is
passed.

Under the leash regulations,
a dog running at large on the
Grounds will be impounded.
The dog's owner will be
notified, if known, and all
captured dogs will be taken to
the SPCA.

LEASH REGULATIONS

–A dog will be
considered running at large
when not leashed, pennd
or under the immediate
control of its master.

–A record will be kept
of animals impounded,
stating the time and place
the animal was captured,
place of impoundment,
description of the animal
and the license number if
available. The owner of the
animal, if known, will be
notified within twelve hours
by telephone, or if the
owner cannot be reached by
telephone, then by letter
within twenty-four hours.

–An captured dogs will
be taken to the SPCA.
Woodburn Road,
Charlottesville. After five
days, the animals shall be
the ol responsibility of the
SPCA.

–An impounded dog
may be claimed by its
owner after the owner
rm the SPCA for
maintenance of the animal.

–No charge shall be
made by the University for
capture and transportation
of the animal.

–All reports of sty
dogs subject to th
regulations should be
reported to the University
Security Department,
924-7166. All inquiries
concerning impounded
animals should be directed
to the Animal Control
Officer, 924-3721.