By Bridget Domenighini, Director, Peoria County Animal Protection Services
For decades, Animal Control Officers (ACOs) were referred to as “dog catchers,” “dog killers,” and much worse by the very members of the public they were charged with protecting. Today, the profession is viewed in a more favorable light, thanks in part to positive PR—shows like Animal Cops, and social media. Still, more needs to be done to bridge the gap between the public’s perception of what animal control does and what we actually do.
Many people envision animal control officers driving the streets, rounding up dogs, and tossing them into cages in their trucks. While these things do occasionally happen, the majority of an ACO’s day is spent responding to neglect, bite, and stray animal calls for service from you, the average taxpaying member of the public.
Peoria County ACOS responded to 9,765 calls to investigate animal abuse, neglect, and nuisance animals in 2015 alone. In the same year, they investigated 415 reported bites. They also took 4,018 calls for stray animals running at large. Many of these animals are happy, friendly, and eager to be returned to their families. Others are not so nice, and our officers are in danger of being bitten or attacked on a daily basis. These encounters are often followed up by interactions with owners who treat the officers with the same hostility.
Your average ACO is likely a lot like you. They are animal people. They have families and pets and live outside of their daily work. They see the worst in people and witness unbelievable cruelty to creatures that have no defense and cannot speak for themselves. They carry starved, emaciated puppies out of feces- and rat-infested backyards. They rescue elderly dogs from ravines; pull frozen, starving dogs from bodies of water; and stand with arms wide open when a member of the public hands them a scared, pregnant pet that they “just don’t want anymore.”
They do this, day in and day out, because they know they are making a difference. They know that they are giving some of these animals more attention than they’ve ever had in their entire lives, and they know that they are working every day to reduce suffering, neglect, and pet overpopulation. It’s often a thankless job, and it should not be.
April is National Animal Control Officer Appreciation month. Our hope is that you appreciate these officers every day, but consider taking some time this month to write a letter, stop by the shelter, or post a positive review on a website or social media site about a great interaction you’ve had with an ACO or with shelter staff. Your kind words would mean more than you know. The next time you see an animal control officer walking the streets looking for a neglected pet, wave or say hi. Participate in community programs where your kids get to meet a local ACO or visit the shelter. Teach your children that they are there to help, protect, and educate. They are so much more than just “dog catchers.”
If you see an animal who looks abandoned, neglected, or in distress, please call local animal control or law enforcement. Your call can mean the difference between responsible, humane care for the animal or a lifetime of suffering. Peoria County Animal Protection Services can help if you lose your pet or see an animal injured or in need. Call PCAPS at 309-672-2440 for information or to report animal cruelty or abuse. Visit PCAPS online: peoriacounty.org/pcaps.