Happy Sunday, Missians!
Thanks for showing up for another Missy Show post. Mad love from me and D for all your support, (yes, my Missy Show co-host, D. is still on the scene; we look forward to coming together again for some awesome October Pet Spooktacular material). But since that's roughly six months away, we shall focus on the topic at hand: Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week.
First off, why should we appreciate animal control officers? Aren't they the ones who come around and snatch up your dogs if they're not registered, AKA "The Dog Catcher"? Coming up as a kid, this was the common name we mainly knew animal control officers by; and even though this is one of their duties, there is much more to what these individuals do on a daily basis.
Animal Control Appreciation Week kicks off today, April 14 and runs through April 20th. To give you all a better idea of what's involved in this profession, check out today's info from Pet Poison Helpline: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/national-animal-control-offer-appreciation-week/
Thanks for showing up for another Missy Show post. Mad love from me and D for all your support, (yes, my Missy Show co-host, D. is still on the scene; we look forward to coming together again for some awesome October Pet Spooktacular material). But since that's roughly six months away, we shall focus on the topic at hand: Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week.
First off, why should we appreciate animal control officers? Aren't they the ones who come around and snatch up your dogs if they're not registered, AKA "The Dog Catcher"? Coming up as a kid, this was the common name we mainly knew animal control officers by; and even though this is one of their duties, there is much more to what these individuals do on a daily basis.
Animal Control Appreciation Week kicks off today, April 14 and runs through April 20th. To give you all a better idea of what's involved in this profession, check out today's info from Pet Poison Helpline: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/national-animal-control-offer-appreciation-week/
Excerpt from: National Animal Control Officers Appreciation Week
These brave officers work day and night to help the community and can put themselves in harm’s way to protect the public. Here are some normal scenarios of a day in the life of an animal control officer:
1. There is a dog running around on the interstate and is putting motorists and itself in danger. The animal control officer needs to act quickly to get that animal and people out of harm’s way.
2. There is a large aggressive dog charging people in a residential neighborhood and trying to bite. The officer is tasked with capturing the animal to protect those citizens from getting bit and potentially getting a bite themselves.
3. A deer is stuck on an ornamental fence and is gravely injured. The officer needs to sedate the animal while having to get close to the wild animal.
4. A raccoon is acting abnormally, and people were exposed/bitten. The officer needs to capture this potentially dangerous animal for rabies testing.
5. These are some of the types of cases that animal control officers work every day. In addition, they help prosecute dog fighting and cock fighting rings and help with animal hoarder, abuse and puppy mill situations. They also help in disaster situations such as flooding, hurricanes and fires.
The article goes on to provide further insight into the day to day responsibilities and frustrations faced by animal control officers:
What are some of the normal duties of an Animal Control Officer?
We deal with almost anything animal related. We educate the public on spay/neuter, enforce animal related laws, and investigate bites for the local health department. We also assist the fire department, as the animals get displaced during fires. We also open emergency shelters during disasters, right next door to the regular shelter, so people can evacuate with their pets, instead of staying in a dangerous area.
We deal with almost anything animal related. We educate the public on spay/neuter, enforce animal related laws, and investigate bites for the local health department. We also assist the fire department, as the animals get displaced during fires. We also open emergency shelters during disasters, right next door to the regular shelter, so people can evacuate with their pets, instead of staying in a dangerous area.
What do you feel is the most rewarding part of your job?
Every once in a while, you get to do something really rewarding, like save an injured animal or help a family keep a treasured pet.
Every once in a while, you get to do something really rewarding, like save an injured animal or help a family keep a treasured pet.
What do you find is the most frustrating or hardest part of your job?
The lack of support farther up in the justice system. Unless an animal crime becomes “newsworthy”, it is not considered a priority. I had part of a national dog fighting case dismissed, because the judge was ignorant and did not know it was illegal.
Don’t let your animal ride in a vehicle unsecured. The back of a pickup or a car with the windows down is dangerous and illegal. It the animal jumps out (and it happens a couple of times a year) the animal can get severely injured or die. And the owner gets charged with cruelty or conveying an animal in an unsafe manner.
The lack of support farther up in the justice system. Unless an animal crime becomes “newsworthy”, it is not considered a priority. I had part of a national dog fighting case dismissed, because the judge was ignorant and did not know it was illegal.
Don’t let your animal ride in a vehicle unsecured. The back of a pickup or a car with the windows down is dangerous and illegal. It the animal jumps out (and it happens a couple of times a year) the animal can get severely injured or die. And the owner gets charged with cruelty or conveying an animal in an unsafe manner.
What do you wish the public would know about Animal Control Officers?
We’re not magical. I can’t make your neighbor’s dog quit barking. Also, there aren’t that many of us, so response times can be extended. Sometimes I’m the only one working in the county.
We’re not magical. I can’t make your neighbor’s dog quit barking. Also, there aren’t that many of us, so response times can be extended. Sometimes I’m the only one working in the county.
Now that we know more about Animal Control Officers, I think it's safe to say, we should definitely show them some love and appreciation this week, (and while we're at it, we should do so from here on out)!
Thank you for all you do in helping animals and in protecting the public! Your hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated. For more information on Animal Control Officers, check out this Pet Finder article as well:
Until our next post,
This is your host J,
signing off...
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| Need help with one these guys? Call your animal control officer. |
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| Got a strange monkey in your closet? Call animal control. |
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