By Bonnie Culverhouse
For more years than can be counted Minden Animal Control has fallen under the department of City of Minden’s Building Office director Brent Cooley.
“It’s been that way since before I came on board,” said Cooley, who has been with the city for 23 years.
People with canine, feline or other animal situations would call Minden Police who would in turn call Cooley who would in turn contact Animal Control.
That issue recently changed.
“We essentially cut out the middle man,” said Minden Police Chief Jared McIver. “Now when we are contacted by the public with an animal control issue, we will go straight to Carrie Ford, director of Animal Control.”
McIver said the departments work hand-in-hand, and the change makes sense.
“I want to get our animal control folks some training,” McIver said. “Many times when we come in, the animals are scared and appear ferocious or are difficult to catch. I want Animal Control to be able to use tranquilizers if necessary for their safety and the animal’s safety.”
The police will cite the animal’s owner if that is an issue, while Animal Control will be notified to step in if the animal has to be seized because of aggressive behavior or malnourishment.
“We will still handle the enforcement side of it,” McIver said.
McIver said in addition to the two employees at Animal Control, he has two trustees that will be helping.
A new facility will be built on the current Animal Control site (138 Dianne St.), thanks to a grant and fund-raising attempts.
“It’s still in the planning stages,” Cooley said. “It will be an entirely new building and new kennels when it’s finished.”
Along with the new facility, McIver said he wants to promote pet adoptions with an area strictly for that.
“We will have a fenced area, so potential adopters can spend some time with the animal they are trying to take home with them,” said the chief. “There are a lot of good ideas.”
