The Peru Gazette

Peru, NY – February 10, 2025 – Several dog tethering law advocates addressed the board, asking it to support a county tethering law, something the board previously declined to do in early 2024. Spokeswoman Jennifer Jewett said County Legislator Robbie Timmons voted against enacting the law because “Peru is against the law.” She stated that Timmons would change his vote if the town board changed its vote and claimed Clinton County Sheriff David Favro favors the law because he can’t enforce seventeen separate town laws.

Today, Legislator Robbie Timmons denied Jewett’s statement. He told the Gazette that he and all but two county legislators favor town laws, not county-wide ones because town dog control officers are responsible for enforcement. He agreed that Sheriff Favro favored the law, but only if the county legislature gave him additional resources, something Timmons doesn’t favor because he believes local dog control officers can do the job without burdening the county with additional expenses. 

Jewett said that under current law, dogs could be chained up for a lifetime, sometimes becoming bored, aggressive, and a danger to public safety, especially to children. She also claimed chained dogs are associated with illegal drug sales and use, illegal gambling and firearms, and dog fighting.

The group gave the board a copy of the county law they’d like to see enacted. Councilman Kregg Bruno said the board would look it over and consider their request. Essex County enacted a tethering law in 2016. Click to review the proposed Supervised Dog Tether Law 2:3:2025

Jennifer Jewett Statement of 2:10:25 (Note – several people read the statement because of the board’s 3-minute comment limit. 

In other actions, the board:

• Supported a Verizon Corp. request that it back Verizon’s efforts to extend internet and FIOS service to underserved areas of the town.
• Approved the water and sewer department’s request to purchase a 2025 F250XL Ford Pickup for $46,694.33 under state contract prices. It replaces a high-mileage 2006 Ford F350.
• Noted a thank-you letter from the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum for its 2025 support of $4,500. The Babbie Museum celebrates its 15th year of operation this year.
• Councilman Bruno congratulated the Highway Department on excellent highway conditions following recent storms.
• The board questioned the town court’s recent very high electric bill. Courtney Tetrault noted that an electric coil backs up the building’s heat pump system and only one heating zone exists. Tetrault will review the situation, and Councilman Bruno will ask Hogan’s Refrigeration to investigate the issue.
• Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell reported that the state asked all towns to assess what they need to do to introduce all-electric vehicles. The cost will be substantial. The state did not mention funding sources.
• Deputy Superintendent Tyler Jarvis said that maintenance problems sidelined two snowplows last week. Flu also put two plow operators out of work for a few days. The department got the job done. Mike Farrell operated one plow. 
• Dog Control Officer T’CT’Chakakelianos reported checking on the welfare of two dogs.

2/13/25 5:25 p.m. Correction: The board considered the law in early 2024, not 2014, as initially stated.