At a June 8th Walker County Board of Commissioners meeting, Human Resources Director Angie Teems, who was standing in for the Walker County Animal Control Manager Bailey Clements, explained to the commissioners the department was requesting that the animal control officers (ACOs) become mandated officers. Teems said, Currently, when animal cases fall under certain categories like cruelty to animals and other state-level crimes, the ACOs depend on the police to help with warrants, go on calls with them, and appear in court if the cases come to that extent. She advised that animal control currently has several felony cases and roughly nine magistrate cases involving repeat animal owners. Animal Control officers have to pull deputies from other areas and from important work to assist. Teems advised the board if ACOs were mandated, it would allow repeat offender cases to be escalated from simple fine-only ordinances violations to state-level violations, including misdemeanors and felonies. Teems said this is notable because of the 2019 act that deems certain animal-related crimes to now be federal offenses. The cost for mandating the ACOs would be tuition-free under the sponsorship of the county police department; only mileage and food would have to be paid for. Since then, the board has approved the request for mandating ACOs. According to the Walker County Animal Shelter and Walker County Public Relations Director Joe Legge, In May, Walker County Animal Control officers were responding to a call regarding dogs running at large when they located many more. After obtaining a warrant for the property, officers confirmed a hoarding situation. Officers removed a total of 31 animals that were said to be living in poor conditions. This is just one of many hoarding cases Walker County Animal Control officers have faced this year. In April, officers assisted the LaFayette Police Department with removing over 91 animals from a house. The two occupants were charged with 91 counts of animal cruelty. Since the start of 2023, Walker County has hired a new Walker County Animal director and an Animal Control Manager. According to magistrate court records, since the hirings, the court has seen a huge increase in animal ordinances violation charges ranging from humane care and animals running large. Both Director Jeff Mitchell and Manager Clements bring decades of experience in Animal Welfare to Walker County.
Pictured are two dogs from recent separate animal neglect cases posted on the Walker County Animal Shelter Facebook page.
