According to Tracy Animal Shelter Supervisor Ben Miller, 14 to 15 animals, mostly dogs, were picked up by officers or brought into the shelter by residents on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. He said all but four have been returned to their owners — those unclaimed are two pit bulls, a dachshund and a Chihuahua.
Miller said it’s not uncommon for dogs to run when they hear loud noises, but the problem is not as big on New Year’s as it is on the Fourth of July.
“Their natural instinct is to run if they are not confined or have other more soothing sounds like a radio or TV to drown out the loud noises,” he said.
The animal shelter was opened during New Year’s Day to help reunite owners with missing pets, he said.
Anyone missing a pet during the holidays can contact the Tracy Animal Shelter at 831-6364.
It’s open from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and is located at 370 Arbor Ave.
• Contact Denise Ellen Rizzo at 830-4225 or drizzo@tracypress.com.
The only alternatives would be laws and regulations that stomp all over individual rights and our ability to celebrate the history of our nation. Which is more important? That a doggy or kitty that the owner fails to take inside is not upset or that citizens can celebrate their nations history or a new year on two measly days per year? Surely the pet owners can find a way to deal with it when it is only 0.5% of the days of the year that this is a concern.