Dead animal leads to bureaucratic runaround
Officials remove more than 100 animals from a Shirley house in February that officials said is the site of illegal animal hoarding. Credit: James Carbone
Which Nassau County department is responsible for removing dead, possibly diseased, animals from the lawn of an unoccupied building? When I called 311 to report the matter of a dead possum, I was directed to the health department.
Someone at that department told me that they were not responsible and directed me to the highway department. A clerk at the highway department advised me to don rubber gloves and dispose of it myself, since they were only responsible for removal from roadways.
When I declined that offer, I was advised to call ... the department of health. Upon asking for a supervisor, I was put on hold and then told, via a recorded message, that he was not at his desk.
I know this matter is small potatoes in the scheme of things, but is it any wonder that people get completely frustrated with government bureaucracy?
Arlene Heim
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