Some local citizens are concerned about animal control officers being able to come onto their property to capture or shoot a “vicious” dog, as described in a proposed revision to the present animal control ordinance.
Once again, residents were given the opportunity to speak at the Valencia County Animal Control Advisory Committee Thursday night at the courthouse, and some of the same issues were raised.
The previous Animal Control Ordinance did not give animal control officers the power necessary to capture or shoot a wild “vicious” dog. In order to better deal with “vicious” dogs and sanitation concerns at the local animal shelter, the committee has been meeting for the past three months to recommend changes to the ordinance. On a regular basis, county residents call Linda Cisneros, animal control director, when they have problems with wild animals attacking their livestock.
“We get about 20 complaints a day of animals attacking livestock,” Cisneros said. “By the time we can respond, the person’s livestock is usually dead.”
The matter of arming an animal control officer and giving him the power to shoot a “vicious” dog was discussed. Two residents spoke to the committee about firearms training for animal control officers and the possibility that they might shoot the wrong animal.
“We will not have an officer out there who cannot shoot straight,” Cisneros said.
In regard to animal control officers receiving sheriff’s training for firearms use, Cisneros pointed out that they would not work for Animal Control at $7 an hour but would become law officers because they could earn more money after receiving that training.
“We are basically able to do nothing,” Cisneros said in an interview Friday, when asked what the present ordinance allowed animal control officers to do about “vicious” dogs.
“The person can shoot the dog. The police officer can shoot the dog. We cannot shoot the dog,” Cisneros said. “We don’t want to shoot the dog, but we should have the ability to shoot the dog in an emergency situation.”
“For instance, if a vicious dog attacks someone now and goes back on private property, we are not allowed to do anything,” Cisneros said.
Rick Weathersby, an animal control officer, spoke to committee members Thursday and pointed out that he does not go out shooting dogs without reason and only responds to “vicious” dog complaints when residents call. He asked members of the audience what they expected him to do if he comes up against a wild dog attacking and mauling a young girl, who may be their daughter.
“Do you want me to use a catch pole or a dart gun?” Weathersby asked.
The response from the audience was that they wanted him to be a good shot, and they did not disagree with an animal being shot in that situation. Weathersby pointed out that he has been shooting since he was a youngster and has marksmanship awards from state contests to prove it.
The committee will continue to meet. Whether the county commission approves the revisions has yet to be decided.
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April 18, 2024
