Fairfield reviewing policies after dog mistakenly euthanized

FAIRFIELD — Changes will be coming to the town’s policies regarding wildlife calls after a family’s dog was mistaken for a coyote and euthanized, officials say.

Having a senior police officer join animal control on wildlife calls and more training for animal control officers were among the changes First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick announced in her weekly newsletter.

Kupchick said many residents have called and written her to express their sadness and concern about how the tragedy on Nov. 13 occurred, while also asking what the town is doing to prevent a similar situation from happening again.

“I met with the Police Department the very next day to review what transpired, and have continued to meet with law enforcement to update our town’s policies regarding wildlife calls,” Kupchick said. “I have also been in contact with animal welfare groups and several ACOs from other towns, that I worked with when I served as cochair of the Animal Welfare Caucus in the state legislature.”

Kupchick said the town is drafting new policies and practices, adding they will be shared with the community as soon as they are completed.

The changes stem from an incident that took place on Nov. 13, when the police department was called to assist Fairfield Animal Control to investigate an animal in “severe distress” in the area of Lawrence Road around 9 p.m.

“The animal, which was found at night during adverse weather conditions, was identified as a young coyote by multiple individuals, including two Fairfield Animal Control officers,” Police Chief Christopher Lyddy said in a release at the time.

After animal control was advised by the state that there were no rehabilitation facilities that could treat the animal, which appeared to be “suffering from prolonged exposure to the elements,” it was taken to the local animal shelter and euthanized.

Police Lt. Antonio Granata said the investigation is almost complete. He said the animal control officer was “separated from service almost immediately,” working their last day Nov. 20.