Long-discussed plan is coming to fruition
Murphy – When local residents talk about animal control, they often refer to the number of past issues involving dogs. However, law enforcement officials cast a much wider net.
“There’s a whole statute in the law books that addresses cows, goats, horses, chickens and animals other than dogs and cats,” Cherokee County Sheriff Derrick Palmer said. “We have the authority to investigate any animal that is abused or neglected.”
While deputies have long possessed that authority, last year Palmer devised a plan to designate a primary animal control officer. County commissioners then appropriated $8,325 for additional law enforcement training and equipment to support that initiative.
The sheriff’s office is using a portion of the money to train Deputy Patrol Officer Rebekah Snyder, who has been on the force for about a year and a half.
“I’ve always loved animals, and I’ve been involved in numerous shelter rescues,” Snyder said when asked why she volunteered for this duty. “I also thought it would be a great opportunity to do some investigative work on my own by starting with animal crimes.
“Someone has to step in to give animals a voice and say they need to be protected as well.”
Snyder has already completed a portion of the National Animal Control & Humane Officer Training Academy, which consists of three 40-hour training modules. The training includes instruction on zoonotic diseases, biosecurity, animal hoarding, animal cruelty crime scene processing, livestock investigations and exotic animal investigations.
“Our goal is not to try and force an animal control officer upon the county,” Palmer said. “Our goal is to investigate and determine the actual needs. The county was reluctant to give us financing for an additional position without knowing the real issues that need to be addressed.”
While officials often receive complaints about animal-related issues, the concerns are not always covered by a state law or local ordinance. Therefore, Snyder will be tasked with educating residents on laws and regulations. She will also collect information to determine whether local officials need to rewrite an ordinance or enforce existing state laws.
Snyder will continue to work double-duty as a patrol officer for the remainder of the calendar year, as she gathers data to help county commissioners make an informed decision.
Residents have lobbied for a full-time animal control officer since at least 2008. Snyder’s work will determine whether that becomes a reality.
“We’re not going to manipulate numbers one way or another,” Palmer said. “We’re accessing the true situation to answer whether the county needs a full-time position or if animal control is something we can do as an add-on duty.”