Algonquin establishes stray dog deal

After two years of working under a temporary agreement, Algonquin on Tuesday inked a three-year deal with Kane County to collect its stray dogs.

Right now, Algonquin has a similar agreement in place with McHenry County, the county most residents call home.

However, a small portion of Algonquin falls into Kane County, which this agreement addresses, said Village Manager William Ganek.

Under the temporary agreement, dog owners paid the $100 fee once they claimed their pets at the Geneva shelter run by Kane County's animal control department.

But now that the village has a longer term agreement in place, it will pick up the $100 tab, Ganek said.

With little growth in the village, officials don't expect an onslaught of stray dogs, Ganek said.

The agreement expires April 30, 2011, and Algonquin has the option of now renewing it, should subsequent fee increases become "unreasonable," said Trustee Jerry Glogowski.

According to the agreement, the county charges Algonquin the following fees for these services:

• It will cost Algonquin $200 to house, lethally inject and cremate animals whose owners don't claim them.

• The village will pay $100 for every stray, sick or injured animal. The fee includes euthanasia for injured wildlife.

• Algonquin will pay another $100 for any additional transportation fees.

• It will cost the village $25 for every day the animal remains at the shelter in certain situations, such as those involving litigation.

If an owner retrieves his or her dog, Algonquin won't be responsible for any fees, the agreement states.