Animal Control Officer

Officer Robert Yuchniuk is the Animal Control Officer (ACO). He can be reached through the Waterford Police Department at 860-442-9451.

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Animal calls: The Waterford / East Lyme Animal Control is a regional facility operating with one Police Officer. If you have any complaints regarding domesticated animals within the towns of Waterford or East Lyme please call 860-442-9451. While Police Officers in both towns can enforce Animal Control Laws, we would prefer that complaints regarding domesticated animals be tracked through this Office. If you should require immediate assistance, while this office is closed, please call your local police and they will handle the call.

Nuisance barking dog complaints: Please note that nuisance barking complaints are sometimes time consuming, start the process early as I will attempt to “solve the problem” in the least intrusive way prior to issuing tickets. In the evening hours please call your local police so that they can attempt to give you relief from the noise. Please lodge the complaint with this Office by leaving me a message and I will track the police response and attempt to alleviate the problem and/or issue tickets as required.

Wild Animals: The Department of Environmental Protection handles all wild animal calls (860-424-3333). RABIES CAUTION: Rabies is a deadly disease that is incurable once symptoms are seen. While our dogs and cats are vaccinated people are normally not. Both towns have seen a number of rabid animals and it is well known that this disease will be in this area for many years. The following species are known to carry and convey rabies: Bat, Cat, Coyote, Dog, Fox, Groundhog, Raccoon, and Skunk. DO NOT APPROACH OR TOUCH ANY WILD ANIMALS.

If you should come into contact (bite, touch, scratch), or possible contact, with any animal that is questionable, regarding it having rabies, please call your Local Police Department. While it is the Department of Environmental Protection’s expertise to handle wildlife I prefer to track the testing and/or quarantine of this animal for your medical assistance.

Found a dog?

Please call 860-442-9451 and turn the dog over to the Police Officer/Animal Control Officer that arrives. DO NOT TRY TO KEEP A DOG THAT IS NOT YOURS. It is a Larceny to hold on to any property that is not yours, and you are placing yourself and the dog at a higher risk, since this dog may have diseases susceptible to you or your pets. (Do not fear of the animal being euthanized, it is our policy to give first choice of adoption to those who find the dog, should that become an option.