My heart rate rises every time I see a stray dog or cat wandering on the road, cars inches away from hitting it. Too many times, I've had to step in, risking my own safety to ensure the safety of these animals. Our Wadsworth Neighbors Facebook page has seen just under 30 posts about stray animals between January and March of 2025 alone. This all started when our previous dog warden was relieved of his duties following allegations of sexual abuse. To make matters worse, Wadsworth Police Department will not aide in the capture of stray animals.

Therefore, I am urgently calling for the city to appoint a new dog warden or a humane officer - a public official dedicated to animal welfare who can aid in the safe capture of stray dogs and cats in the town of Wadsworth. There are many risks posed by stray dogs and cats in our neighborhood. Aside from the animal welfare concerns, stray dogs and cats can become aggressive, a potential danger to children and other pets, and pose a significant risk to traffic and public safety.

Our city's silence and inaction on this issue is becoming unbearable. We are a community of animal lovers, pet owners, and compassionate residents, and we demand action from our elected officials. Implement a comprehensive program for animal control, hire qualified dog wardens/humane officers, and ensure the welfare and safety of our animals and residents alike.

Please sign this petition if you agree that this is not just necessary, but it is a right for our animals to be protected and for our community to feel safe. Your signature can make a difference in the lives of these pets and foster a more humane culture in our city.