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by Suzyn Barron, President of Warwick Valley Humane Society, Inc.
Did you know that animal welfare organizations have varying titles for those officers who handle various animal situations? In NYS Agriculture & Markets law which governs the licensing of dogs and the animal cruelty statutes, Dog Control Officer is defined as
“any individual appointed by a municipality to assist in the enforcement of this article (licensing of dogs)”. Umpteen years ago, the DCO used to be called the “Dog catcher”. From Dog Catcher to Dog Control Officer to now Animal Control Officer for those of us who help all animal species in all predicaments.
Last month, for instance, Animal Control was called to a home with a salt water pool being enjoyed by a mother duck and her ducklings. As cute as it was, it was not healthy for these birds to be in salt water. The ducklings were easy to scoop up with the net, the mother, not so much because she could fly out of the pool and over the pool fence. After several unsuccessful attempts including putting two ducklings back into the pool to lure mom, the decision was made to place the ducklings outside the pool fence in mom’s vicinity and off they went! 
Animal Control was called for stray domestic rabbits which are extremely difficult to catch if not confined. An ACO’s willingness to chase and wear the rabbits out ended up with the rabbits in the net and safe at the shelter.
An owl was recently caught in a soccer net. Two ACOs with scissors and thick gloves were able to free the owl from the net without damage to the owl only to the net and release it back to its habitat after a bit of rest from its traumatic event.
One evening the Police called for ACO assistance for a dog in its home who had somehow managed to catch its paw in the latch of the leash attached to its collar. The caregivers were unable to release the paw. When a dog is in pain, even a very friendly pup, will lash out as this dog did. The Animal Control Officer with the help of the Police Officer managed to free the dog from its predicament after a few attempts requiring the proper firm hold of the dog.
Not all calls have happy endings. Animal Control responded to a call for a sick kitten. Unfortunately, the kitten had to be humanely euthanized because she was very neurologic and already dying. Since the finder sustained a bite from this kitten, the bite mandated that the kitten be tested for possible rabies. ACOs know to wear or use protection when handling unknown animals and to keep handling at a minimum to protect themselves and the animal.
So Animal Control covers a wide range of situations that can occur day or night. Technically, the ACOs of our organization are Animal Care & Control Officers since they also provide care to the shelter animals and are always at the ready to rescue.
Pet of the Week:
Small Animal Adoption applications are available at wvhumane.org or call 845-986-2473 for more information.
