Animal shelter faces new safety rules after fatal fire

PAXTON, Mass. — The town of Paxton is moving toward new regulations for an animal shelter the state deemed "not suitable" for animals just days before it burned down, killing dozens of dogs and cats.

At the same time, the Sweetpea Friends of Rutland shelter is planning to rebuild and reopen. The shelter has raised more than $138,000 from donors across the world.

Seventeen dogs and 39 cats were killed in the Nov. 22, fire that investigators believe was electrical.

Three days before the incident, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Animal Health (MDAR) wrote in a report the shelter was "not suited for the detention and care of animals," because of, among other concerns, kennels "not large enough for animals to move around freely."

"Many dogs showed signs of stress including repetitive behaviors such as circling," the report states.

"I do not agree with them," said shelter manager Melanie Kenadek. "Yes, our pens were small, but the dogs did have plenty of room to stand up, turn around, lay down, move freely."

But founder and president Dick Clark admitted the old building didn't have enough space.

"Yes, we were cluttered," Clark said. "There were no places to put things. We had to put stuff on top of kennels... There was no room for storage. We're taking care of that with the new building."

MDAR said in a statement Thursday its November inspection was unannounced along with the Animal Rescue League of Boston. The agency had met with town officials to discuss problems at the shelter at least twice before in 2013 and 2014, but no action was taken.

During the Nov. 16, visit, inspectors found an animal being held on behalf of New Braintree. Only after the fire did the agency issue an ordering barring the shelter from holding other town's animals until the shelter made improvements.

"Only municipalities can issue, suspend, or revoke a kennel license," MDAR spokeswoman Katie Gronendyke said in a statement. "The issuance and renewal of kennel licenses is dependent upon passing an inspection by the Animal Control Officer."

The town quickly suspended Sweetpea's license after the fire.

Sweetpea managers say they have already gotten offers from engineers to work on what will be a safer, state-of-the-art building.

"We want to have open free-roam cat rooms, indoor-outdoor kennels, so they can be in and out all day, exercise areas, training rooms," said volunteer coordinator Marisa Ayvazian. "It's going to be like home."

Sweetpea's board has been developing plans to submit to the town for a building permit. Then, the shelter must also reapply for a kennel license to take in animals.

Town administrator Carol Riches told FOX25 Thursday the town will support Sweetpea's reopening if they meet all regulations.

The Board of Selectmen approved the rules this week to pass on for a vote by the town council in May. If approved, the regulations, which are based on the state's guidelines, will affect any animal shelter in the town.

Cox Media Group