By Maesa Procopio
First Selectman Fred Camillo has worked tirelessly for years to make sure the community is thriving, and not only for its citizens, but for their furry friends as well. One aspect of Fred that is clear to everyone who knows him is that he is an avid animal enthusiast. Fred is the recipient of Adopt-A-Dog’s first ever Humanitarian Award; the United States Humane Society’s Legislator of the Year award in 2017; and the Connecticut Votes For Animals Animal Champion Award in 2019.
Fred’s love of animals started when he was growing up on his family’s mini-farm behind the Cos Cob School. Fred explains that they “had goats, ducks, rabbits, chickens, two small alligators, cats, many dogs, and fish. We had everything. Years later, I heard that teachers would take their classes to my house as a visit to a local farm.”
Growing up, Fred was responsible for helping out with the care of the family’s animals and developed a special bond with them that never went away. So when he was elected to the state legislature as a representative, it was only natural that he would carry that passion with him to Hartford.
Fred was an exceptional leader on issues relating to the humane treatment of animals. In fact, he started the first ever animal welfare caucus in the country. This ground-breaking effort was at the forefront of similar efforts in California and Colorado. Both states star ted animal welfare caucuses shortly after Connecticut.
Fred introduced several laws throughout the years involving animal wellness. One such law, Buddy’s Law, came to be after the killing of a German Shepherd in Middlefield. Passed in 2013, Buddy’s Law made it illegal for anyone other than a veterinarian to kill a pet unless it falls under specific exemptions: farm animals, law enforcement, emergency circumstances, or if someone’s being attacked. Fred introduced a law specifically for animals in pet shops dubbed the Pet Lemon Law. Under Connecticut’s pet lemon law, pet shop licensees must reimburse a customer for veterinarian expenses incurred for a dog or cat that within (1) 20 days after sale, becomes ill or dies of an illness that existed at the time of sale or (2) six months after sale, is diagnosed with a congenital defect adversely affecting the animal’s health.
There has always been a problem involving people leaving children and pets in locked cars in times of dangerous weather. Fred wanted to do something proactive to help keep them safe while empowering people to help. In 2019 he introduced the Good Samaritan Law, which means “if you see a pet, or a child locked in a car in extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold, and no one’s around, you can break the window and not be held liable.”
Of all the animals that Fred has protected and cared for over the years, there can be no doubt that his favorites are dogs. In 2000, Fred took notice that there were no dog parks in Greenwich. Being an avid dog lover, Fred knew that this was an essential aspect of animal wellness that the town was missing. “I and three or four other people started looking for a dog park in town, and it took us 5 years, but in 2005 we got the first ever dog park at Grass Island. We have a second lot that can be a dog park on the western side of town, I’ll be announcing it shortly. The goal is to have one on the western side and one on the eastern side, and of course the one in the central Greenwich at Grass Island. The one on the Western side is almost secured, and the one on the Eastern side is on hold.”
One thing is clear. Fred loves animals: his pets and everyone else’s. An avid outdoors man and environmentalist, you can find Fred with his fury friends hiking and kayaking on a regular basis. Fred’s dogs are all rescues. He has a German Shepherd named Teddy Roosevelt, a Shepherd/ Collie mix named Reagan and a little Maltese, named Bailey. They are his constant companions and even go to work with him once in awhile.
Fred has volunteered over the years with Adopt-A-Dog, as well as served on its board of directors. “I see the role of Adopt-A-Dog as a resource for those looking for pets. They do a wonderful job educating the public on how to adopt.”
Fred intends to keep working to make Greenwich an even better friend to dogs but realizes responsible dog ownership is a big part of that. “We have leash ordinances, and clean up after yourself obligations. Everyone should have their dogs leashed in public areas and carry bags with them. We ask that all pet owners are up to date with shots and have their best friends licensed. The Town Clerk’s office is very helpful with the licensing.”
