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A Day in the Life of an Animal Control Officer

Karl Morris has witnessed the highs and lows of how Sacramento County residents and visitors treat the animals that many people refer to as their four-legged friends.

Morris is one of eight animal control officers for Animal Care and Regulation, a County department with responsibilities that include administering the State Rabies Control Program, rescuing animals during fires, handling stray livestock and pets, and investigating animal cruelty complaints and conducting pet adoptions, vaccinations and licensing.

"Sometimes my job is unpleasant, but it’s important to public safety and the health of every animal in Sacramento County,” Amour said. “When I see a dog adopted by a family or get a baby hawk to a wildlife rescue group, I know the work we do is important and worth while."

On any given day, Morris hits the roads of unincorporated Sacramento County at 8:00 a.m. with a list generated from the 15-20 calls received the night before. And on most days, the list grows as he is dispatched to emergencies and public requests for assistance.

On just one day in May, Morris’ morning included:

• Pick up a dog whose owner had been arrested by the Sacramento County Sheriff´s Department
• A SMUD employee was attacked by two pit bulls while turning off the gas main on a delinquent customer
• Pick up a dog seen running in the streets by a motorist

Back at the County animal shelter, Morris logs the morning’s impounded animals. Passionate about animals, he also helps care for sick and injured animals, and works to get pets into permanent loving homes by matching the animal’s personality to the adoptive family.

Animal Care Supervisor Eileen Mayson notes, "We try to educate adopters about the different characteristics of breeds and encourage them to attend obedience classes. Without training, we often see dogs back in the shelter when they’re a year old and no longer a cute little puppy."

Euthanasia, Morris says, is a regrettable but necessary function of the animal shelter. Whether the animal is injured, ill, vicious or simply un-wanted, the decision to put down an animal is never taken lightly and always conducted with great of care.

"I hope that some day spaying and neutering will be as common to pet owners as is changing the battery in your smoke detector," Morris said.
– June 2004