Ben Madilynn
The Tallassee Police Department utilizes a small part of the city shop to keep those inside from escaping. But it’s not a jail, it’s a small kennel. It’s used to help reunite pets found in the city limits to their owners, and the department is highly successful at it.
“About 90% of the time we get the dogs back to the original owners,” Tallassee police chief Todd Buce said. “Another 5% are owner surrender.”
The Tallassee Police Department employs an animal control officer to respond to calls of an animal running at large. If the animal is found and no one nearby claims it, the dog goes to the department’s kennel at the city shop and attempts to reunite the animal and pet owner.
The dog is placed in one of four air conditioned and heated kennels. There are also fans to keep the air circulating.
“We take photos and place them on our Facebook page so the owners can identify them or people who know the owners can get us in contact with one another,” Buce said.
Reunifications happen quickly. Some within a matter of hours. The longest animals are kept over the weekend.
All patrol officers have been trained to feed and water the animals during their shifts to aid in their care.
Because of the kennel and animal control officer, very few animals have to be taken to the Humane Society of Elmore County Animal Shelter.
A year ago the Tallassee City Council approved allowing the animal control officer to be a certified law enforcement officer. It allows the officer to write citations related to animal cases, and it frees up patrol officers.
“The officer can handle all that himself,” Buce said. “The only time he really needs a backup from another patrol officer is in the normal situations where a police officer needs a backup.”
The animal control officer is able to repay the favor to patrol officers who help care for the animals.
“When call volumes are high, he can assist in many ways,” Buce said. “He can backup officers. He can also act as a patrol officer when needed to cover patrol shifts.”
