Our County Board of Commissioners recently made a disappointing revelation. Talks have been going on that could transfer the housing of animals in the charge of our “Animal Control Shelter” to a local “protection shelter”. Could animals’ welfare possibly lose law enforcement protection? We need to be asking questions.

I have volunteered for nearly 20 years with both types of shelters in Alpena County. The two have different functions and to fragment the operation of the Animal Control Shelter would undermine their impressive results. Deputy Reid has infused standards into the program, improving operations to a new level, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Adoptions exceed 95%.

Animal Control is there to protect both animals and the public. Animals coming in are often starved, mentally scarred, battered and beaten, expectant mothers and mothers with little ones they’re too malnourished to nurse. Many require medical care and rehabilitation. Farms are also monitored. Sometimes animals are seized from their owners. Staff donates their own time along with many resident volunteers.

I have really come to appreciate having law enforcement involved in Animal Control. The ACO can effectively handle neglect issues, proper investigations, gathering evidence and securing animals in evidence without any outside interference. State and local regulations abound.

In 2022, Deputy Reid was named as Michigan’s Animal Control Officer of the Year: the “Best” in her profession. What a true benefit for us. Her decades of experience enable her to coordinate all the before mentioned activities under her direct supervision in the existing system. Hopefully, the County Board will appreciate this special service in our County as much as my fellow citizens do. Leave our Animal Control program AS IS. Please contact your commissioner.

TOM PELKEY,

Alpena