City of Pittsburgh
Population of city of Pgh: 305,800
No. of occupied homes: 136,200
Estimated percentage of Animal Control Officers’ time spent picking up wildlife: 75%
[The following figures were obtained through 2 City of Pittsburgh Right to Know requests.]
Trapping sites to date: approx. 400
Approximate cost per animal killed: $40
Cost of veterinarian* (factored into cost per animal): $3,300/month
*As per PA law regulating such situations, a veterinarian is paid for his availability to merely sign off occasionally on euthanasia drugs. His presence on-site is not required. Total annual cost to taxpayers in 2015: $39,600
No. of occupied homes: 136,200
Estimated percentage of Animal Control Officers’ time spent picking up wildlife: 75%
[The following figures were obtained through 2 City of Pittsburgh Right to Know requests.]
Trapping sites to date: approx. 400
Approximate cost per animal killed: $40
Cost of veterinarian* (factored into cost per animal): $3,300/month
*As per PA law regulating such situations, a veterinarian is paid for his availability to merely sign off occasionally on euthanasia drugs. His presence on-site is not required. Total annual cost to taxpayers in 2015: $39,600
Year-by-year figures for animals trapped and killed
Figures for January 2015 through end July 2015
(justification for wanting a trap was required for approx. half of this period):
Total wildlife euthanized: 645
Raccoon: 353 | Groundhog: 278 | Skunk: 14
Cost to taxpayers to end July 2015: $25,800
Figures 2014 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,545
Raccoon: 1,416 | Groundhog: 1,048 | Skunk: 81
Cost to taxpayers: $101,800
Figures 2013 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,493
Raccoon: 1,400 | Groundhog: 988 | Skunk: 105
Cost to taxpayers: $99,720
Figures 2012 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,699
Raccoon: 1,622 | Groundhog: 994 | Skunk: 83
Cost to taxpayers: $107,960
Figures 2011 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,833
Raccoon: 1,877 | Groundhog: 848 | Skunk: 108
Cost to taxpayers: $113,320
Figures for January 2015 through end July 2015
(justification for wanting a trap was required for approx. half of this period):
Total wildlife euthanized: 645
Raccoon: 353 | Groundhog: 278 | Skunk: 14
Cost to taxpayers to end July 2015: $25,800
Figures 2014 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,545
Raccoon: 1,416 | Groundhog: 1,048 | Skunk: 81
Cost to taxpayers: $101,800
Figures 2013 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,493
Raccoon: 1,400 | Groundhog: 988 | Skunk: 105
Cost to taxpayers: $99,720
Figures 2012 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,699
Raccoon: 1,622 | Groundhog: 994 | Skunk: 83
Cost to taxpayers: $107,960
Figures 2011 (entire year):
Total wildlife euthanized: 2,833
Raccoon: 1,877 | Groundhog: 848 | Skunk: 108
Cost to taxpayers: $113,320
Breakdown of “reasons” for trap request by type
NB: justification for needing a trap was required only over a period of a few months in 2015. It was not required before that date and is no longer required. Therefore, the below figures are based on records from those few months in 2015.
41% garden/yard concerns
11% disease concerns*
21% "just there"
11% getting into trash
14% actual structural damage or inside dwelling**
2% applications quoting several reasons and also frequently a whole list of possible animals
* in other words, the resident gave "rabies" or "disease" or "to prevent rabies" as justification for needing a trap, without any evidence provided of the animal actually being sick. Some residents view trapping as a pre-emptive measure to prevent disease, whereas it is more likely to have the reverse effect.
** no differentiation is made here between preventable structural damage / moderate or serious damage / actual safety risk to residents. This is intended to give a general idea of the percentage of more “serious” cases.
NB: justification for needing a trap was required only over a period of a few months in 2015. It was not required before that date and is no longer required. Therefore, the below figures are based on records from those few months in 2015.
41% garden/yard concerns
11% disease concerns*
21% "just there"
11% getting into trash
14% actual structural damage or inside dwelling**
2% applications quoting several reasons and also frequently a whole list of possible animals
* in other words, the resident gave "rabies" or "disease" or "to prevent rabies" as justification for needing a trap, without any evidence provided of the animal actually being sick. Some residents view trapping as a pre-emptive measure to prevent disease, whereas it is more likely to have the reverse effect.
** no differentiation is made here between preventable structural damage / moderate or serious damage / actual safety risk to residents. This is intended to give a general idea of the percentage of more “serious” cases.