Citing “public safety and animal welfare,” Wareham’s Animal Control Officer asked the Board of Health to require livestock owners to purchase a new $10 “animal permit.”

Officer Cheryl Gorveatt-Dill told board members on Wednesday the permit would allow officials to keep records of horses, pigs, cows and other livestock. Dog owners are already required to get licenses for their pets.

“We’re not looking for peoples' pets in their homes,” said Gorveatt-Dill. “We’re looking for farm animals where there is a potential for swine flu, avian flu…There’s a whole list of reasons I’d like to see people come in and get a permit.”

Gorveatt-Dill said many Massachusetts towns have similar regulations, saying Wareham should emulate Foxborough’s rules.

Health Agent Bob Ethier supported Gorveatt-Dill's proposal.

Speaking as the town’s assistant animal control officer, Ethier said there are situations where having permits on file could prevent a health crisis. At state Department of Public Health seminars held last year, Ethier said the specter of an avian flu epidemic was raised. In some cases, the state may ask local health officials to take action during an epidemic.

“The biggest issue in Massachusetts is the backyard flocks,” said Ethier. “If [avian flu] does spread then every one of those backyard flocks needs to be exterminated somehow.”

Aside from a crisis, there are day-to-day issues that permits would alleviate, such as ensuring animal welfare. Gorveatt-Dill said should the state ask local officials to conduct animal inspections, her office would have the necessary information.

“If the state says we need to inspect the goats or the chickens we know where everybody is,” said Gorveatt-Dill.

Under her proposal, Gorveatt-Dill said livestock owners would have to buy a permit for the property where the animals are kept. That property would be subject to an inspection by Gorveatt-Dill.

Board of Health members said a detailed plan was needed before they make a decision and will discuss the issue further at a later meeting.