The NPR story says it is actually illegal to elect a dogcatcher in Vermont.
That’s the story I’d like to read.
I think it was pretty much covered in the second article. If NPR hadn’t air the original story, he might still be the U.S.'s only elected dogcatcher.
Don’t worry, the lobsters are on a roll
Here’s the complete paragraph.
Turns out, it is against Vermont law for a town to elect its own dogcatcher. After our story aired, someone from Duxbury got in touch with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns. A lawyer there pointed out the bad news: dogcatcher is not an official elected position in the state. For now, dogcatchers can only be appointed.
The dull reading is that any position not officially mentioned in law is illegal to hold an election for. The fun reading is that Vermont deliberately made it illegal to vote for a dogcatcher.
What about Truant Officer? Is that an elected position?
I was elected constable for a small town back in the early 90’s (by the town board not popular vote. Served 2 consecutive two year terms). Per town charter one of the mandatory duties of the constable was that as “Dog catcher and animal control agent”. So, technically, I was elected dog catcher. I had 2 paid deputies but they worked on the lake patrol not the road. We had a fully marked squad but it was a pick up truck which served me well. Most of the township was rural.
Never had to deal with dogs much. Cattle on the highway was the biggest animal problem. It was considered a part-time position and if I couldn’t take a call it went to the County Sheriffs Office. In fact our dispatching was done via the county. About 15 years after I stopped doing it the township did away with the constable office and just contracted with the Sheriff.
I remember that being a standing joke in Canada - “American politics is so messed up, they even elect dogcatcher.” And went on to point out how contradictory to common justice and common sense it is to elect judges.
Oh, well, to each his own. At least you can rely on appointed judges to behave fairly and impartially with respect for precedent.
I thought of this thread while voting yesterday. These are the State’s official instructions on how to properly mark your ballot. We don’t really elect dog catchers here.
