Through her 15 years as head of the New Canaan Police Department’s Animal Control unit, Officer Maryann Kleinschmitt says two unfortunate incidents in particular stand out.
NCPD Animal Control Officer Maryann Kleinschmitt stands in the center in 2014, leaning on a new drier at the Lakeview Avenue shelter. It was purchased by members of Girl Scouts Troop 198, L-R: Katie Unger, Ellen Nelson, Allison Beck, Celia Sokolowski, Amanda Hill and Emily Gaeta. Missing from photo: Caroline Cioffi. The troops leaders, also not pictured, are Donna Hill, Lisa Gaeta and Dede Beck. Credit: Michael Dinan
The first involved two dogs that ran off-property up on Strawberry Hill Road and bit badly two women walking past, and the second a golden retriever on Carter Street that mangled a delivery man’s hand.
Perhaps as a result of those, Kleinschmitt said, one of the unit’s major accomplishments under her stewardship has been “getting the enforcement that New Canaan needed in the parks.”
“Our parks are people parks, and although I love to see the dogs out there, they need to be leashed so everybody feels safe. A leashed dog is going to be a safe dog.”
Roundly praised by the police chief and other town officials through her years guiding Animal Control in New Canaan, Kleinschhmitt told town officials this week that she will retire after September—a move that’s motivated by considerations of family and relaxation, she said.
“I’m going to spend some time and do some traveling and skiing in the wintertime, and not get up early in the morning, but be able to sleep and spend time with my granddaughter and family,” Kleinschmitt said.
A Fairfield native and Bethel resident who graduated from Andrew Warde High School in 1970, Kleinschmitt especially looks forward to seeing her twin 33-year-old boys and nearly 3-year-old granddaughter up in Cromwell, as well as traveling and skiing out west with David, her husband of 42 years (they belong to a ski club in Danbury).
Kleinschmitt, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University in business and secretarial science, has worked in Animal Control for 21 years in all, including New Canaan and for eight years a concurrent part-time job, until for years ago, with the Wilton Police Department.
Police Chief Leon Krolikowski called Kleinschmitt “without question the most effective and professional Animal Control officer in the state of Connecticut.”
“She has served the town exceptionally well,” the chief said. “She has handled all Animal Control matters with professionalism and I don’t think there is anybody more knowledgeable in the town or state than her. We will miss her greatly, but we’re hopeful that as we transition someone to replace her, that she will help transition a new person so we can still maintain our effectiveness in Animal Control.”
Town officials say they will post the head Animal Control officer job shortly.
Asked for her thoughts on New Canaan, Kleinschmitt said: “This has been the best town work in, the best town. They are an animal town, very supportive of animals and animal rights. Even the shelter, the people were behind me to upgrade the shelter and they are still behind me, we’re getting fencing up there through the Girl Scouts.”
New Canaanites “have great dogs,” Kleinschmitt said. “They need very little prodding to do the right thing. Usually when we go there and tell them that there has been a complaint, they are quick to rectify it. There have only been a few exceptions where people decided we had to take some enforcement action, but for the most part they are licensing their dogs and they are keeping them on their property. They are considerate of their neighbors.”
I have worked closely with Officer Kleinschmitt since she arrived in New Canaan. Off-leash dogs were a big problem especially in our parks. MAK undertook a huge task to get this situation under control.
She is well-respected throughout the state, hard-working, and very professional in her day-to-day activity. She will be sorely missed!