|
| | Q.
How can I find someone to remove a wild animal (squirrel, bat, etc.) from inside my home?
|
From time to time, squirrels may get into your attic, a skunk may enter your basement, raccoons may get into your chimney, or you may find a bat in your house. For professional assistance with removing a wild animal, contact a nuisance wildlife control officer. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has information about Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators on its website. You can also contact the DEC at (845) 256-3098 for information about Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators.
Since some wild animals (like skunks, raccoons, and bats) can carry rabies, you should take proper precautions if you decide to remove one from your home yourself. Avoid contact with the animal's saliva or nervous tissue. Any exposure (bite, or an open wound or mucous membrane exposure) to a wild animal should be reported to the Dutchess County Department of Health. During normal business hours, you can reach the Department at (845) 486-3404. After normal business hours, on weekends and on holidays, call (845) 431-6465.
Keep in mind, if you find a bat in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or intoxicated or mentally compromised person, do not let the bat go. Capture the bat and then call the Dutchess County Department of Health for additional guidance. During normal business hours, you can reach the Department at (845) 486-3404. After normal business hours, on weekends, and on holidays, call (845) 431-6465.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
I have found sick/injured wildlife. What should I do?
|
If the animal appears to be sick, it may have rabies. Avoid contact with the animal and call the Dutchess County Department of Health for guidance, at (845) 486-3404. Click Here for more information about rabies.
If the animal has suffered an injury that would make it hard for the animal to survive or take care of itself, volunteer wildlife rehabilitators will take the animal free of charge and care for it until it can be released back into the wild.
Call the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at (845) 256-3098 for the names of licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitators in Dutchess County. Visit the DEC website for more information on sick or injured wildlife and wildlife rehabilitators.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What do I do if a stray (or neighborhood) dog or cat bites me?
|
There are both health issues and legal issues involved when an animal bite occurs.
First handle the health issues: Try to determine who the owner of the animal is so that the animal can be screened for rabies. Call the Dutchess County Department of Health at (845) 486-3404 -or- (845) 431-6465 after hours to advise them of the bite. Department of Health personnel are experienced in handling animal bite issues and they will determine what further steps need to be taken to ensure that you will not be at risk from rabies exposure.
For legal issues involving an animal bite, click Here.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
I saw a dead animal along the road. Is there someone I can call to pick it up?
|
First you must determine what entity is responsible for maintaining the road in question: either the local municipality, or the county, or the state. The County's GeoAccess System can be used to determine whether an area of road falls under the jurisdiction of the County's Highway Division.
- Click on the GeoAccess icon that appears at the top of the Public Works homepage to bring up the GeoAccess window.
- Click on the Search button at the top right of the GeoAccess window
- Select Roads_dc from the dropdown box as the search layer (Step 1.)
- Select the road in question from the next dropdown box (Step 2.)
A table appears under Roads_dc at the bottom of the page giving a range of "low" and "high" addresses for the road. Determine the correct range, then select the correspponding number in the left column titled "Zoom In". County roads will appear in green; state roads will appear in yellow; interstate roads will appear in red; those roads whose jurisdiction is undetermined will appear in black. For a more detailed legend, click on the "Legend" button at the top left of the window.
Once you’ve determined which entity is responsible for the road, contact the appropriate Highway Department. Click on the following links to access contact information for: municipal highway departments, the County highway department and the NYS Department of Transportation.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
I’ve heard that black bear sightings are on the rise in Dutchess County. How can I avoid contact with bears?
|
Birdseed is a favorite food of bears. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation:
First and foremost, bears are readily attracted to back yards because of the presence of bird feeders. The problem often escalates to other food sources such as garbage cans, barbecue grills and compost piles as bears become bolder and more acclimated to people. If you take away the food you will take away the bear.
To minimize the chance of a bear encounter around your home, eliminate bird feeders as soon as bears emerge from their dens in March. Also, secure household garbage indoors, feed your pets indoors, keep your barbeque grill clean and grease-free and do not compost food outdoors.
Click on the following links for more information that is helpful in preventing bear problems:
1. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s webpages regarding preventing bear problems.
2. The Center for Wildlife Information’s “Be Bear Aware” webpages.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Is there a law regarding cleaning up after your dog?
|
Dog manure complaints are handled by both municipalities and the Dutchess County Sanitary Code. Individual municipalities may pass local laws governing dogs, including leashing, barking, confinement to the owner’s property, or picking up waste. Also, there may be restrictions on the type or number of dogs. In these instances, the code enforcement officer or dog warden in the municipality will enforce these regulations.Click Here for a list of municipal phone numbers that you can call to find out about the specific dog-related laws that may be in effect in your city, town or village.
Public Health Nuisance complaints regarding accumulation of dog waste are investigated by the Health Department under Article 8 of the Dutchess County Sanitary Code.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What can I do about a possibly rabid animal on my property?
|
If an animal on your property appears to be sick, or if it is behaving strangely, it may have rabies. Avoid contact with the animal and keep your domestic pets away from the animal. Call the Environmental Services Division of the Dutchess County Department of Health for guidance, at (845) 486-3404. Click Here for more information about rabies.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How do I find out which County parks will allow dogs?
|
The regulations regarding pets in Dutchess County's Bowdoin Park and Wilcox Memorial Park and Quiet Cove require that dogs be on a leash which is no more than six feet.
For New York State parks, visit the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website that allows you to search by state park and/or by region as well as by attractions to find a list of state parks meeting the selected criteria. Along with general park information, each park listed will give information about whether or not pets are permitted. Click Here to access this website.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Is gas service offered in my area?
|
Contact your local service provider for the answer to this question. Depending upon their location, residents and businesses in Dutchess County are serviced by either Central Hudson Gas & Electric, 1-800-527-2714, OR New York State Gas & Electric, (845) 278-8120.
The Poughkeepsie Journal maintains a set of community “fast facts”; these are information pages that generally will indicate which utility company is servicing a specific area of the county.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Who do I call about a streetlight that is out?
|
First you must determine who is responsible for maintaining the light. As a general rule, if the streetlight pole is wooden then Central Hudson Gas and Electric (845) 452-2000 is responsible for the light repair. If the pole is metal, then maintenance falls under the jurisdiction of a municipality or possibly a private owner. Many residential subdivisions have streetlights that are owned and maintained by a homeowner's association in which case you would need to contact the association for repair.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How do I report downed power lines or tree branches leaning on a power line?
|
Stay far away from downed lines. Even if they don’t hum, spark or jump around, they can be live and dangerous. Stay away from anything that is touching the line, such as a tree, fence, etc. Call 911 and the local electric company. Move away from a downed line by shuffling in small steps with your feet together on the ground, not by running. If you run or take large steps, you increase the chance that electricity could come up one leg and go down the other, thereby shocking you.
Electricity always follows the shortest path to the ground. If you are in a car when a power line comes in contact with the vehicle, stay in the car so that you will not become a part of the electricity’s path to the ground. If you must leave the car because of fire or other danger, jump away from the vehicle in such a way that no part of your body will touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time, and land with your feet together.
Visit the following webpage that contains contact information for utility and cable companies in our area: .
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Why are Dutchess County gas prices are higher than surrounding counties such as Columbia and Ulster?
|
The higher price for gasoline in Dutchess County is directly attributed to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) requirement that Dutchess County stations sell reformulated gasoline to help improve air quality in the region. Dutchess County, as well as Orange County and Putnam County, is part of a “non-attainment area”- designated by USEPA in mid-2004. This means the levels of the pollutant ozone, as measured by an air monitoring meter, exceed the established federal standard. A State “non-attainment area” must develop a state implementation plan (SIP) that describes its approach to reducing both the emissions of ozone precursors, and the overall level of ozone in the air. The requirement for the sale of reformulated gasoline in Dutchess County and other lower Hudson Valley counties is part of the current SIP prepared by New York State.
Reformulated gasoline is more expensive than regular gasoline. It is blended to burn cleaner and reduce smog-forming and toxic pollutants in the air. The blend is made by adding ethanol (up to 10 percent) to increase the oxygen content of gasoline.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What can I recycle?
|
Items that are recycleable include: glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, and green); tin and aluminum food and drink cans; aluminum foil products; HDPE and PET plastic containers; newspapers; office paper (businesses only); corrugated cardboard; major appliances; tires; yard wastes.
For more information on dates and locations of the next household hazardous waste collection day, composting or recycling guides, and hazardous/medical waste disposal, visit the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency's dedicated website at: .
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Aren’t most sex offenders locked up?
|
Some sex offenders receive community sentences, such as probation supervision, and so remain in the community while serving their sentence. Sex offenders who are given jail or prison time are eventually released back into the community. Offenders released from prison may be supervised by parole. Short of incarceration, community supervision allows the criminal justice system one way to help control the offender. There is a growing interest in providing effective community supervision for this population to reduce the threat of future victimization. The supervising agency can monitor the offender’s residence, require that the offender work and in some cases require that he or she participate in treatment. Certain sex offenders who find appropriate work and are in treatment while under community supervision present a reduced threat to the community.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Who should I contact if I am concerned about the sex offender’s behavior?
|
If it appears to you that the offender has committed a crime or is acting suspiciously, call the county sheriff or the police department in your jurisdiction and report it as you would any other suspicious or criminal activity. Most areas have a 911 emergency service, but check with law enforcement to find out how to report a crime that you witness or suspect. It is important that you leave it to law enforcement and do not take matters into your own hands.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What is sex offender registration?
|
In 1994 the federal Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act was passed. This law mandated states to set up sex offender registries to assist police in keeping track of sex offenders in their jurisdictions. Each state may choose how to operate their registry.
In New York State, a person must register as a sex offender if they have been convicted of certain offenses. They have to tell local law enforcement where they will be living and, in some cases, where they will be working. For more information about sex offender registration in New York State you can visit the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services’ website: www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Where can I find information on getting married in New York State (marriage license, age requirements, changing my name, who can perform the ceremony, etc.)?"
|
A couple who intends to marry in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license to any town or city clerk in the state. The marriage license will cost approximately $40. If both applicants are 18 years of age or older, no parental consents are required.
There is a space provided on the marriage license to indicate whether or not you are changing your name. The marriage must take place within New York State if you are using a New York State marriage license. To be valid, a marriage ceremony must be performed by any of the individuals specified in Section 11 of the New York State Domestic Relations Law; some of these individuals are mayors, city clerks, judges, and clergy members.
For more detailed information on getting married in New York State, visit the section of the New York State Department of Health’s website that deal with marriages.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
I just moved to Dutchess County. How do I register my vehicle?
|
To register your vehicle in Dutchess County, visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). To expedite your visit, view the information on the NYS DMV website to download the necessary forms to complete before you visit your local DMV office. Click Here to find out what documents you will need to bring to the DMV office and to download the forms. Click Here for the location and hours of your local DMV office.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Where can I find answers to my questions about jury duty?
|
The New York State Unified Court System provides a juror information website with the stated purpose being “ to answer . . . concerns and give you an introduction into your upcoming jury service. Please browse through the site and feel free to use the e-mail feature to ask questions or tell us what you think about your jury system.” Click Here to access this website.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
How do a get a sign erected on a road?
|
First determine the ownership of the road. To have a sign posted on a county road, call the Dutchess County Department of Public Works - Engineering Division at (845) 486-2925. For a New York State road, contact the local NYS Department of Transportation - Traffic & Safety Division at (845) 575-6040. For a town or city road, contact the appropriate municipality. View our list of local .
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What is community notification all about?
|
In 1996, Congress passed Megan’s Law. Megan’s Law is an amendment to the sex offender registration act and requires states to develop community notification programs to make information about registered sex offenders available to the community. This information can help community members make planning decisions about the safety of themselves and their family.
New York State Law allows local police to give out certain information about some registered sex offenders. The amount of information depends on the offender’s designated risk level. Little information can be released about low risk offenders. Much more information can be released about moderate to high risk offenders, including the offender’s picture and description of their offense. Specific information on high risk offenders’ addresses is available. Information on where moderate risk offenders reside is given in general terms, such as by zip code
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
What do I tell my children about this offender?
|
Good communication between parents and children is an important part of family safety. In general terms tell your children that this person has hurt someone before. Explain to them that they should stay away from this person. Review safety tips and be aware of common lures used by sex offenders. View the following webpage for suggestions:
http://www.childluresprevention.com/parents/tips.asp.
Even though we mean well when we say to our kids, “don’t talk to strangers,” the fact is that most children are sexually abused by someone they already know, be it a family friend, a neighbor, a babysitter, a coach – even a family member.
Go to top of page
|
|
| | Q.
Now that I know about a particular sex offender who lives in my community, are my family & I safe?
|
Sex offending happens in secrecy. Community notification removes the veil of secrecy. The purpose of community notification is to reduce the chances of the offender victimizing someone else by increasing neighborhood residents’ awareness of known sex offenders living in their area. It is also very important to remember that registered sex offenders are only a portion of people who have committed sex offenses who live in our communities. There are many offenders who have not yet been caught, who are not required to register, or who have completed their registry obligations.
Go to top of page
|
|
Printable version
