Lexington-Bedford Animal Control

For residents across Massachusetts, particularly those in Lexington and Bedford, ensuring the safety and well-being of animals in the community is a shared responsibility. When a pet goes missing, an injured animal is found, or concerns about animal welfare arise, having a reliable local resource is essential. This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Lexington-Bedford Animal Control, highlighting its vital role in the community, its accessibility, and how it serves local users in the Massachusetts region.

Lexington-Bedford Animal Control serves as a crucial component of public safety and animal welfare within the towns of Lexington and Bedford, Massachusetts. Operating under the respective Police Departments of each town, their primary goal is to ensure the safety of both residents and animals. This includes responding to calls regarding stray animals, addressing neighborhood nuisance problems, managing rabies concerns, and assisting with injured animals. Their work is fundamentally about fostering a humane and responsible environment for all living creatures within the community. The service acts as a point of contact for concerned citizens and plays a vital role in reuniting lost pets with their owners and ensuring animals in distress receive appropriate attention.

While animal control services often operate through mobile units and by responding to calls, the administrative and operational hub for Lexington-Bedford Animal Control is located at 63-71 Westview St, Lexington, MA 02421, USA. This central location in Lexington makes it accessible for residents of both Lexington and Bedford, as the services are closely coordinated between the two towns' police departments. For individuals who have found a lost pet or are looking for their own, this physical address may serve as a point of reference for where impounded animals might be held or where administrative inquiries can be directed. Its presence within the local community ensures that assistance is readily available when animal-related concerns arise for residents in this part of Massachusetts. For direct assistance, the primary contact method is typically via phone to the respective police departments.

Lexington-Bedford Animal Control provides a range of essential services focused on public safety and animal welfare within the towns they serve. These services are often handled by dedicated Animal Control Officers (ACOs) who are trained to respond to various situations.

• Lost and Found Pets: A key service, ACOs assist in reuniting lost pets with their owners. As highlighted in a review, Officer Michael Leskouski was able to identify a wandering dog and reconnect it with its owner, demonstrating the effectiveness of this service. They often hold stray animals at a holding facility for a specified period (e.g., 7 days in Bedford) to allow owners to come forward before other arrangements are made.
• Response to Stray Animals: Actively picks up stray dogs and addresses issues related to animals at large, helping to maintain public safety and animal well-being.
• Animal Bites and Rabies Concerns: Responds to reports of animal bites, investigates incidents, and addresses concerns related to rabies, working in coordination with public health officials. This includes ensuring proper reporting and follow-up.
• Neighborhood Nuisance Problems: Addresses issues such as noisy animals (e.g., constant barking), which can disturb residents. They enforce local by-laws related to animal conduct.
• Injured Animals: Responds to calls for injured animals, regardless of species. If an owner is not present, injured animals are typically transported to the nearest veterinarian for care. Some wildlife may be brought to rehabilitation clinics.
• Enforcement of Animal By-laws and Ordinances: Ensures compliance with local regulations concerning animal restraint (e.g., dogs under "restraint and control" at all times), removal of animal waste (scoop the poop laws), and licensing requirements for dogs and cats.
• Promoting Responsible Pet Ownership: While not a direct service in the traditional sense, animal control often educates the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets to control stray populations, and the necessity of vaccinations, particularly for rabies.
• Assistance with Anxious Animals: As noted in a review, staff are capable of working with "incredibly anxious" dogs, demonstrating a compassionate and patient approach even with challenging animals.
• Wildlife Concerns: While primarily focused on domestic animals, they may offer guidance or refer residents to Problem Animal Control Agents for issues with wildlife causing property damage or presenting a threat.

Lexington-Bedford Animal Control stands out for several key attributes that contribute to its vital role in the community and its positive impact on local pet owners.

• Professional and Knowledgeable Officers: The team, including Officer Michael Leskouski, is described as "extremely helpful" and "very professional." Their ability to quickly identify and assist animals, even knowing specific pets, highlights their dedication and local knowledge.
• Effective Lost and Found Pet Services: The direct testimony of a successful reunion between a lost dog and its owner underscores the efficacy of their efforts in managing stray animals and reconnecting families.
• Compassionate Handling of Animals: The ability to "work with incredibly anxious dogs" demonstrates a patient and gentle approach to animal handling, which is crucial for ensuring the well-being of pets under stress. This indicates a genuine care for the animals they interact with.
• Community Integration with Police Departments: Being part of the police departments in both Lexington and Bedford means animal control issues are handled with an understanding of public safety, ensuring coordinated responses to incidents.
• Local Expertise: Their familiarity with local animals and owners, as shown by knowing a wandering dog, indicates a strong connection to the community they serve.
• Focus on Public and Animal Safety: Their core functions revolve around preventing animal attacks, controlling stray populations, and ensuring humane treatment, all contributing to a safer environment for both humans and animals.

For reporting animal control problems, inquiring about lost pets, or any animal-related concerns in Lexington and Bedford, residents can contact the respective police departments:

Address: 63-71 Westview St, Lexington, MA 02421, USA (This is a general address for the Lexington side of operations; direct contact is usually via phone to the police departments)

Phone for Lexington Police/Animal Control: (781) 862-1212

Mobile Phone: +1 781-862-1212 (This number typically routes to the same police department line for animal control inquiries)

For Bedford Animal Control, the non-emergency police phone is also often the point of contact: 781-275-1212.

Note: In emergencies, always call 911.

For residents of Lexington and Bedford, Massachusetts, Lexington-Bedford Animal Control is an indispensable and highly suitable resource for a wide array of animal-related concerns. Functioning effectively through the local police departments, the service provides crucial support for public safety and animal welfare. The positive feedback highlights their professionalism, effectiveness in reuniting lost pets, and compassionate approach to handling even anxious animals. This local expertise and dedication to the well-being of community animals make them a trusted point of contact for everything from stray pets and nuisance complaints to injured animal responses. For anyone in the Massachusetts communities of Lexington and Bedford seeking assistance with animal control matters, this service stands as a reliable, professional, and caring partner dedicated to maintaining a harmonious environment for both people and their beloved animal companions.

Lexington-Bedford Animal Control

63-71 Westview St, Lexington, MA 02421, USA