Letter to Fellow Lyme Residents: Urgent Need for Effective Animal Control Services

Dear Neighbors,

I am writing to address a critical public safety issue that affects every resident of Lyme: the complete failure of our current animal control officer, Donald Griffith to protect our community and its animals.

The Problem

Lyme is home to over 230 registered dogs alone (the actual number of dogs residing in town is significantly higher as licensing has never been enforced)— in 2024 there were only 260 registered dogs in town. 

It’s not just the dogs, there are countless other animals requiring proper oversight and emergency response. Yet our Animal Control Officer (ACO) has consistently failed to fulfill the basic responsibilities of this essential role. When residents call for assistance with animal emergencies, stray animals, or public safety concerns, the ACO does not respond. When local law enforcement requires animal control support, those calls go unanswered. This pattern of neglect puts our families, pets, and community at risk.

The Numbers Tell the Story

The town's 2024 budget allocated zero dollars for this critical service—spending a mere $56 on animal control while maintaining a $10,000 dog fund that remains untouched, year after year. This financial neglect mirrors the operational failure we witness daily.

When I reached out to the town hall for more information I was informed that the town does not track statistics for this role.  Which leads me to conclude there is no real oversight to this position. 

We Have No Emergency Response for animal emergencies. 

Currently, Lyme residents have no one to call for animal-related emergencies of any size. Whether facing an injured animal on the roadway, aggressive stray dogs threatening children, or wildlife posing public health risks, our community is left without professional assistance. This is unacceptable for a town that takes pride in protecting its residents.

We Need Your Support 

I am circulating a petition demanding that the Town of Lyme hire a competent Animal Control Officer who will actually fulfill the obligations of this vital role. Our community deserves reliable, professional animal control services that respond promptly to emergencies and maintain public safety.

Take Action

Please consider signing the attached petition in support of effective animal control for the town of Lyme. 

Additionally, if you have had personal experiences—positive or negative—with our current ACO Donald Griffith, I am asking you to document these incidents in a brief personal letter to accompany the petition. Your firsthand accounts will help town officials understand the scope and severity of this problem.

The safety of our community depends on having functional emergency services, including animal control. We cannot continue to accept the current state of neglect and unresponsiveness.Thank you for your time and consideration of this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Caitlin Vickers 

Concerned Resident of Lyme, CT

 

 

 

 

To submit your personal experiences please email to Caitlin@barefootct.com. I will compile a list and share as a whole with the selectman’s office   

Together, we can ensure Lyme receives the professional animal control services our community deserves.