Town Animal Shelter Reopens Following Ringworm Outbreak

A town spokesman said Friday the Brookhaven Town Animal Shelter reopened on Aug. 15 following a among the shelter's canine population.

The shelter had been closed to new adoptions and resident drop-offs, with only limited access for residents who may have been searching for a lost pet.

Jack Krieger, the town's public information officer, told Patch in an e-mail that each animal in the shelter was cultured and dipped four times each as treatment for possible ringworm. The shelter houses 300 animals, he said.

Additionally, Krieger said a labor dispute between the shelter's administration and employees surrounding the outbreak has been resolved.

"It has been agreed by the Town and the union that those who walked out will use personal time to make up for the time they were off the job," he said.

Shelter director Dori Scofield could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.

The shelter closed the week of Aug. 3 after ringworm was found in some animals, reportedly causing some employees to walk out on the job, according to a Facebook page that popped up following the closure.

According to peteducation.com ringworm is caused by a fungus, which sheds spores that can live up to 18 months in the environment and thrive on heat and humidity. It is transmissable from dogs to humans.