NORWICH – After having one too many skunk encounters, Alderwoman Linda Kays-Biviano requested the common council consider hiring an animal control person for the city of Norwich.

At Tuesday’s meeting Kays-Biviano raised public safety concerns, citing her own recent encounter with a skunk.

Kays-Biviano recounted a recent run in with a skunk that entered her daughter's home, chased her granddaughter, and sprayed the inside of the house. She stated that they tried to call the Norwich Police Department, but no one was available to assist them.

"All three of us had to have a series of rabies shots which cost $13,000 to the county. If we had an animal control officer that could have come and captured the skunk and tested it, we could have saved the county that $13,000,” said Kays-Biviano.

She said her friends and neighbors have also been terrorized by skunk encounters and were unable to get assistance from police. She said others had also ended up receiving rabies shots.

"I really think this city needs an animal control officer that can take care of the dogs, take care of the cat problem, and take care of animals. I really don't want it to be called just a Dog Warden," said Kays-Biviano.