One woman said she was afraid to get out of her car at night.
By Cora C. Briggs
Special to the Sun Journal

LIVERMORE – Several residents were on hand Monday night to tell selectmen the town has gone to the dogs and to ask for help.

They talked about dogs running loose on Goding and Hyde roads, testifying to seeing piglets being savaged by Rottweilers in one instance and an attack on a pig, the death of a goat and a Dalmatian puppy in another.

One woman said she was afraid to get out of her car at night for fear of being attacked.

The women said they called Animal Control Officer Wayne Atwood and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department about the problems. Because they have been able to do little, a local dog law was sought.

Atwood, who verified having been called about the complaints, assured the group that they have a dog law, a state one which covers these situations.

Enforcement is another thing, he said, as he has limited powers.

“If I were a police officer, I’d have a little more power, but I don’t think the town of Livermore wants to hire a full-time officer for animal control. It’s hard for me in a town with no police.”

Atwood spoke about approaching the Goding Road home to follow up on a complaint only to be met by three dogs who prevented him from getting out of his vehicle.

A man finally came out and admitted ownership. Since only one dog was licensed, Atwood wrote summonses to the owner for the other two. On his second visit to the property, he was accompanied by a deputy, Atwood said.

Atwood urged the complainants to file papers, which he said are available from him or at the town office. Each of the four women has done that and they were encouraged to file papers for each incident and to back them up by appearing in court.

In other business, Gerard and Patricia Samson told the board about a problem of high chloride they are having with their well water. Tests show the content is above approved limits and the Samsons wonder if the recent change in the road is responsible.

The bid for installing two septic systems went to Doug Gordon for $12,600, pending review by the code enforcement officer.