New animal control officer dispels myths about 'dog catchers'
There is a lot of outdated information about dog catchers, now called animal control officers, and Matt Russell dispels all of it. In the past being a dog catcher was not especially esteemed, witness sayings such as "He couldn't get elected dog catcher."
"There's a big difference between a dog catcher 20 years ago and an animal control officer today," Russell said.
Today an animal control officer has to have training in many different areas including animal behavioral analysis, civil liability and zoological diseases. Russell has spent time recently in Phoenix, Ariz., earning certification in these areas by the National Animal Control Academy.
Russell said a lifetime interest in animals and law enforcement led him to his current position.
"I've always been into law enforcement and I love animals so I just put two and two together and went into animal control," Russell said.
Russell said the current state of affairs with the animal shelter is still very much up in the air and it's too early to tell what kind of solution will be worked out but there is a lot of interest in doing the right thing.
"There are still a lot of mixed reactions," Russell said. " But, people seem to want to move quickly and in the right direction. A lot of great ideas have come up in the meetings. If half of them work it will be a great deal."
Russell stays busy -- he estimates that about 60 stray dogs per month are picked up in Nevada; and also estimates that about 60 percent of these are animals with no known owner. Feral cats are also an issue.
Russell said he has begun to sound like the host of the "Price is Right," in telling people what would help reduce the surplus animal population.
"The easiest and smallest thing people could do to help me is to have current vaccinations and tags," Russell said. "A $2.50 tag around a dog's neck saves me two days work trying to find an owner. Another thing is -- get your pets spayed or neutered, please. I've started to sound like Bob Barker on that but it would really help."
Russell said there is a program to help people do exactly that, and at a discount price to boot.
"I'm trying to see if there's any interest in a program called Paws Across the Heartland," Russell said. It's a group in southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri that offers to spay and neuter pets for a discounted rate of $35."
Russell said the program has been a big success elsewhere and he'd help any interested people get in touch with the group.
"They like to have 30 animals set up per day when they come," Russell said. "Anyone interested can call me at the police department and I'll get them the information."
The number for the Nevada Police Department is (417) 448-2710.