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iy : | | 4 3 a 4 $ 2 | $ 4 FREE SAR APH NA A aaa EEE RE SN 3 3 Catching canines is her specialty and Ann has many 'tails' to tell : by Jackie Glass The cherry red van pulled up slowly to the house. Scanning the area for the suspect, she finally picked him out from the description given: black, long-haired, tendency to yap excitedly, lick children's faces.and get off his leash. She advanced slowly. He eyed her warily, then suddenly bounded into her arms. Pop, into the cage he went, snap, went the lock and bang, went the van door. Mission successfully accomplished for Ann Barrett dog catcher for Scugog and Uxbridge Town- ships. This is just part of a typical day for Ann Barrett as this Star reporter found out after spending a day with her. Why did Ann choose this particular profession? The reasons were simple. "I love dogs, 'people, and being outside," she said. Ann had drive a school bus for five years but because her own children were growing up, she realized she wanted to do more. When she learned of the dog catcher job, she applied and got it. The job has been hers since 'May 1969 and accor- ding-to Ann, "I could never work inside; I'll do this job as long as my legs will move." Before Ann, there had not been an official dog catcher. - She says dog control was maintained for ten years. through the local garbage collector. a In 1971, a dog shelter in Goodwood was opened and is maintained by both Scugog and Uxbridge Townships. Today Ann divides her time between the shelter, her office and travelling. in her van. Her assistant, Nancy, works three hours a day and alternate weekends at the shelter. The shelter takes care of both dogs and cats for five days which does not include the day they are brought in, weekends or holidays. If they are not reclaimed in the five days, they are taken to a vet and destroyed. Ann tries to find homes for these animals and has often found a good home. "It's a privilege to own a dog," she said, "but most people just don't realize it." Since she is out on the road most of the day, an answer- ing service installed in the Uxbridge office acts as her secretary. Every couple of hours, Ann checks back with it and deals with the recorded complaints, usually by driving out to the scene. - Her van is a restored fire truck and was recently bought for her by the Town- ship. In it, Ann keeps the usual dog catcher's net, several large cages for dogs and an smaller one for cats. Another highly- favoured piece of equipment is her Catch 'Em Alive trap, a giant contraption used, as the name implies, to catch animals alive with the use of bait. Born on a farm in Nova Scotia, Ann is not squeamish when it comes to using her automatic .22 but "I haven't shot a dog in years," she said. For the first time this year, Ann will be taking preventative rabie shots. "I have to stop being care- less," she said, adding that she has been bitten before. Ann's love of animals is THE CONWAY 985-2486 *NOW OPEN from 8 A.M.* For Breakfast on Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays! Lunch & Dinner Specials Daily! --t 2 KK evident and she is also very serious about her work. Dogs have to be kept tied up. This is the law and it is up to Ann to enforce it. She maintains that dogs, like children, must be taught to stay on their own property. Often, enforcing this can be frus- trating. '""No amount of talking prevents some owners in letting their dogs loose," said Ann. , Recently being considered however, is the changing of the - Uxbridge by-laws regarding fines. Tickets might be issued to those owners of wayward pets, similar to police tickets given for speeding and other offences. MUTT SHOW The shelter also sponsors two Mutt Shows a year where trophies and dog feed are given out as prizes for such categories as the best dressed dog, the most un- usual dog and the dog that most resembles its owner. As many as 50 children have participated in the show which has been put on for the past nine years. Ann says there has been a slight decline in the number of participants but still believes this year's spring show will be a success. Although for some the job might seem gruesome which Ann will not deny it can be, it does have its humourous sides as well. Not limiting her rescues to only land-faring animals, Ann has even rescued a dog by boat. ' She had received a com- plaint of a dog constantly barking. Checking it out, she discovered a dog almost neck.deep in water. His chain had apprently been caught under the water off Scugog Island. "That was one happy dog when he got into the boat," she laughed. For Ann, it is not how many dogs she catches in one day that makes a successful day for her, but rather how many calls she can complete to everyone's satisfaction. '""The Township doesn't know it, but I'd do this job for nothing," she said. Tw Ta TAT TT lon Lop Loe Lop Lop Lp La Lon Lop Lom Ln Lan 3¢ S5c5¢ ToT" 0529252529055 252505252525 2525252525252525¢5¢5¢5¢5 255 SSS OOOO OOM 3 XT i Week Dining Guide OPEN 7 DAYSA WEEK!- ~ RESTAURANT & TAVERN LTD. 15 WATER STREET, PORT PERRY -985-3281 Tn HOT & COLD:SMORGASBORD DAILY 11:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. * Make Your Reservations Now for next week's ; Coe eS 3 DANCE NIGHTS Thursday, Friday & Saturday weekly Music provided by local disc jockey. Holiday Dining - Good Friday! PORY PERRY STAR -- Wed. March 31, 1982 -- V9 Ts Ann Barrett has been a dog catcher for the Scugog and Uxbridge Townships for over ten years. A great lover of dogs, Ann says she'll do this job "as long as my legs will move.' [See story for details]. {or Ve Discover what's new for spring LOW-KEYED TWEED IN A CLASSIC SPORTCOAT A tweed so subdued in texture, so subtle in coloring it becomes endlessly adaptable, completely compat- ible with every other component in your closet. 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