Avon and Canton Show Off New Animal Control Vehicle

Avon-Canton Animal Control Officer Beverly LaPlume has been long awaiting her new van and got her first look this week at the detailed white 2012 Dodge Ram CV.

"I'm ecstatic," LaPlume said, first seeing it Monday after Alex Trujillo, Avon Public Works deputy director, picked it up. "We've finally got it. It's a great feeling."

SignPro, of New Britain, detailed the van with the animal control and police logos and lettering, as well as a plug for the sponsors, but Trujillo said it may be another month until final outfitting is complete. That includes installing a two-way police radio, LED roof lights, emergency lights, a spotlight on the roof, and trays and cage dividers in the interior.

Mitchell Auto Group, of Simsbury, which co-sponsored the Waggin' for Wheels fundraiser for the van with Avon food distributor , revealed it to the media Thursday.

"It's the epitome of community policing," Chief Chris Arciero said, praising the partnership between local businesses, the police departments and the public in . "I can't underscore the importance of how Mitchell and Miller's stepped up to the administrative tasks to get the fundraising done.

Arciero said Canton experienced the importance of an "active and engaged animal control officer" and the need for a new van even more so July 2011 when , not far from the downtown.

An Avon in January sparked the idea for Waggin' for Wheels after community members, unsolicited, raised money for medical treatment for springer spaniel Cocoa, who police removed from a Waterville Road home. The charges against Cocoa's former owner were dismissed on the condition the dog were surrendered.

The old van, a 1998 Ford Windstar, which was donated by a community member, sold for $601.09 in a publicsurplus.com auction, Trujillo said. The from the Waggin' for Wheels campaign. The gift and the money gained from sale of old van covered the $19,000 discounted sale price. That model typically runs for $24,770, according to Mitchell records.

"It's going to have a huge impact on our budget," Avon Police Chief Mark Rinaldo said, stressing that it saves taxpayer dollars.