New officers sworn in as Paws Humane transforms Columbus Animal Care & Control
Ten animal services officers were sworn in last week, three months after Paws Humane Society took over management of the Columbus Animal Care & Control Center (CACC).
The city’s $3.3 million contract with Paws says that the new officers must have completed a nationally recognized animal control training course and a field-training program before being sworn in.
During the first year of the contract, there should be at least 13 animal services officers. Paws must make its “best efforts” to keep animal services officer positions filled with no vacancies lasting more than 90 days.
“(Animal services officers) report directly to Paws Humane Society,” Paws executive director Courtney Pierce told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email. “The chain of command includes two sergeants, a lieutenant, and ultimately myself as Executive Director.”
Animal services officers enforce state laws and city ordinances relating to animals and livestock, including retrieving deceased animals from public roadways, parks and city property. Retrieving deceased animals from private property is not part of their duties unless it’s part of an active investigation into cruelty or rabies exposure.
“Our officers do not have arrest powers,” Pierce said.
Their powers will be limited to city ordinances and related cases in Columbus Recorder’s Court. If situations go beyond Paws’ scope, like criminal matters, then the Columbus Department Police will step in, Pierce said.
“In those cases, we often work jointly to build the case,” she said.
Legal responsibilities of Columbus animal services officers
Pierce said that the legal responsibilities of the animal services officers are the same as those of the former animal control officers, but these new officers are expected to use a more “community-centered approach.”
“Not every situation requires a punitive response,” she said. “We focus on education, offering resources and helping community members comply with ordinances in a way that sets them up for long-term success.”
Animal services officers will conduct full investigations into allegations of neglect or cruelty, Pierce said, but if a case rises to a misdemeanor or felony it would fall out of their jurisdiction and into CPD or another law enforcement agency. However, the offices can issue citations for cruelty at the local level if the case remains within the scope of local ordinances.
Abandoning animals, drivers failing to stop or report striking an animal, harassing or provoking animals and tethering that doesn’t meet requirements are listed as examples of cruelty in the city charter.
There should be at least one on-call duty officer after regular business hours for emergency responses, which may include:
Any law enforcement agency requesting emergency assistance
Animal bites where the animal continues to pose an immediate threat to public safety, or a bite categorized as a level 5 or above on the Ian Dunbar scale
Any domestic, dangerous or vicious animal that poses an immediate threat to public safety
Any domestic animal that’s sick, injured or in immediate danger
Any animal that’s at immediate risk because of cruelty or neglect
Picking up deceased animals that are evidence of a crime.
Animal services officers have a critical role in public safety, community support and animal welfare, Pierce said. They take this responsibility seriously, she said.
“We’re working hard to move away from the outdated image of ‘dog catchers’ and toward a more accurate understanding of what these professionals truly do,” Pierce said. “They are also eager to work collaboratively with local law enforcement, strengthen partnerships, and ensure we are always responsive when our assistance is needed in the field.”
