The week of April 9-15, 2023 is Animal Care and Control Officer Appreciation week. The City of Douglas Animal Control personnel provide essential community functions of enforcing Animal Control laws, protecting the public from diseases such as rabies, rescuing helpless animals that have suffered abuse and neglect, and educating the public on the proper care of pets and animals.
“It takes a caring person to take on this type of work for public safety and we thank Tim Gay, our Animal Control Officer, for his service,” says Georgia Henderson, Community Development Director. “He often goes above and beyond his normal duties and tries to investigate and work with agencies in the community concerning neglected and abandoned animals. The City of Douglas appreciates all the hard work and long hours that Tim puts in each week to help with the needs of animals.”
The Animal Control Division of the Community Development Department provides an essential community role of helping to educate the public on animal control ordinances which includes proper care of pets, enforcement of Douglas’ Animal Control Ordinances, and the protection of citizens from diseases such as rabies. The Animal Control officer has the power to enforce penalties on pet owners and confiscate the animals of owners who are in violation of the ordinance that addresses the care and shelter of pets. The office also is responsible for the removal of domesticated animals within the city limits. The Douglas Animal Control Officer, Tim Gay, also has 28 hours of training in Animal Cruelty Investigation. Last year, animal control responded to 1,102 calls which included rescuing 403 puppies/dogs, 370 kittens/cats, the removal of 190 dead animals and 139 miscellaneous calls.
BELOW PHOTO: Animal Control Officer Tim Gay rescued this dog and three others from animal neglect. All four dogs have since been safely rehabilitated and are happy with new pet owners.
BELOW PHOTO: When not in the field or on a call, Animal Control Officer Tim Gay takes time to complete paperwork at his office located at City Hall (302 S. Madison Ave.).
