County restructures animal control

   

     Beginning July 1 the Kent County Sheriff's Office will take a more prominent role in animal control.          

    The Kent County Animal Shelter will cease to be part of the Health Department  and become its own  department reporting to the county administrator. Animal control operations will be handled by a specially trained team at the sheriff's department. 

      "Best practices in animal welfare and animal control are Kent County's top priority in restructuring these operations," said county administrator Al Vandenberg. He said the change was based on extensive research and nationwide data. 

     At last week's meeting, county commissioners approved adding one lieutenant and two sergeant positions to the sheriff's department to supervise and train the civilian animal control officers. They also approved the addition of two patrol vehicles. The six vehicles currently being used for animal control operations will be moved to the sheriff's department as well. 

     Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young said the sheriff's department has cooperated with animal control officers for years. 

     "With these changes, animal control operations will be led by sworn law enforcement officers trained to provide oversight and protect due process in rapidly unfolding legal and civil rights matters," she said. 

      While the animal control officers will remain civilian positions and will not have arresting authority, the certified Sheriff's deputies in the animal control unit will have authority to make arests when there is cause to believe a crime has been committed. 

    The animal shelter at 740 Fuller Ave. NE will continue to provide the care, shelter and feeding of lost and abandoned animals in Kent County. 

     "Our mission hasn't changed," said shelter director Angela Hollingshead. "We remain keenly focused on reuniting pets with their families and finding safe and loving new homes for animals when needed."

     If you have an animal emergency in Kent County -- such as an animal attacking a person or a pet in immediate danger -- call 911. Otherwise, residents should call the Kent County Sheriff's Department dispatch at (616) 632-7310 to report a stray dog, a dog bite or a suspected case of animal cruelty.