Veterinarian Mandip Lachhar of the Animal Hospital of Riverhead visited the town animal shelter on Youngs Avenue this morning to examine the dogs being held there. Dr. Lachhar was asked to examine the dogs by Supervisor Sean Walter, who said he recently learned dogs in the shelter did not receive routine preventative veterinary care beyond a rabies shot.
“It is hard to fathom that in previous years the animals in our care have been left untreated for even the most basic diseases and parasites,” Walter said in a statemeny issued yesterday. “That neglect will not stand.”
Walter said the veterinarian will be paid $28 per dog for the exams.
Lachhar examined 14 dogs today, said Walter's secretary Carol Sclafani, who happens to be a veterinary technician and is going to be monitioring the shelter for the supervisor. The dogs were generally in good health, she said, but for a couple of dogs that had "skin issues," for which they will be tested Monday in the veterinarian's office. All the dogs are being prophylactically with Panacur for hookworms and whipworms, which have been found in dogs sheltered at the facility, Sclafani said.
Lachhar is scheduled to attend next week's work session to discuss setting up a regular visiting schedule at the shelter.