Adel, County face animal control and dangerous dog issues
Pictured are Adel’s Animal Control Officer Ronan Ward and Ms. Kylie Evans of Passionate Pups at the Quitman rescue and adoption event, along with “Bear.”
Adel Police Chief Audie Rowe announced last week that two dogs that have been housed at the Dr. W.F. Bozeman Animal Control Shelter, “Radar” and “Bear,” were adopted at an animal adoption and rescue event in Quitman.
Chief Rowe announced that Animal Control Officer Ronan Ward transported the two dogs to the adoption and rescue event. “This effort to find new homes for these animals was successful,” according to an Adel Police news release. Radar had been housed in Adel’s animal shelter since March of this year.
“Our goal, as I would hope that it is with any Animal Control agency, is the adoption of animals over all other avenues,” said Chief Rowe.
Rowe said that as Adel’s newly appointed Police Chief, Animal Control currently falls under his agency for guidance and interpretation. “I plan on reviewing the current policy of the Animal Control agency and meet with city officials to discuss some changes so that Animal Control can work closer with volunteers, adoption and rescues, and other community partners,” he said. Rowe also said he is currently in the process of hiring an Assistant Animal Control Officer.
Chief Rowe wants to remind the public that the animal control facility always welcomes donations of goods for the animals.
Rowe told the Adel News that a misunderstanding resulting from communications with city employees led members of animal rescue organizations to believe that the City planned the imminent euthanization of dogs that had been in the shelter for a period of time, but that wasn’t the case. Members of the rescue organizations expressed outrage on social media and contacted the Adel News with their concerns.
“We have always erred on the side of getting these dogs adopted or rescued first and foremost,” Rowe told the Adel News. “We don’t really go by a five- or even 10-day rule because we are very proactive with volunteers, adoptions, and rescues.”
Meanwhile, all the local municipalities and the County are facing a rash of incidents involving stray animals, cruelty to animal and animal neglect cases, and dangerous dogs. The driving factor for stray animals is people not getting their dogs (and cats) spayed and neutered.
During the July 1 work session of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, Sheriff Doug Hanks and Capt. Brent Exum requested the acquisition of the 40X50 building located at the Cook County Road Department (County Farm) currently used for storage. The building would be used to quarantine pets that were involved in an attack or other incident. The animals would be quarantined for 10 days, if they were involved in an attack, during the animal case investigation.
Cook County Animal Case Investigator Regenia Wells would participate in the investigation and oversee the well-being of the animals while quarantined.
The building would be redesigned by the Atlanta Humane Society to comply with state regulations. In the meantime, four kennels would be permitted with proper temperature control and care.
Ms. Wells informed the Board that she would obtain quotes for supplies and pursue licensure for this type of facility.
Capt. Exum clarified, however, that the facility would not be an animal control facility. He said the Sheriff’s Office currently does not have the means for county animal control.