Animal Chronicles
Spring & Summer 2008

Your Very Own Animal Cops

by Carrie Harrington

For Marin Humane Society Animal Services Officers, every day is an exercise in expecting the unexpected.

On a recent Sunday, Field Services Technician Sally Holland was called to Molino Avenue in Mill Valley to pick up a fatally injured deer. What she found was an opportunity to inform and entertain kids with some unique facts about her job.

"When I arrived on scene, there were two young girls waiting for me. As I began transporting the deer into the truck, so began the questions!

'What’s the smelliest animal you’ve dealt with?'

'A skunk because they’re already stinky.'

'What’s the littlest animal you’ve ever dealt with?'

'Well, someone once asked the Marin Humane Society to remove a mouse from their property.'"

The experience reminded Holland, who’s been a MHS Field Services Technician for nearly one year, that she is in a unique position to educate the public on animal issues. "Especially kids," says Holland, "because they are usually interested in what we do."

On Call 24/7

From rescuing animals in distress and investigating complaints to facilitating emergency veterinary care and confining stray animals, the Marin Humane Society’s 12 Animal Services Officers are on duty and respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Last year, Marin Humane Society Animal Services Officers logged more than 100,000 miles, responded to over 7,000 emergency and assistance calls from the public, and investigated 1,812 complaints. They also were first responders after the San Francisco Bay oil spill last November, rescuing 122 birds and recovering 395 of those who did not survive.

“The days after the oil spill were non stop for us,” recalls Director of Animal Services Captain Cindy Machado. “During that time, collecting more than 50 oiled birds in a day was routine.”

Machado, a 24-year veteran, is quick to point out the critical role that Animal Services Officers play in Marin County disaster response. Emergency supplies ranging from portable kennels to animal trailers are warehoused on campus and offsite, and officers receive ongoing disaster response training.

From fires and floods to earthquakes and oil spills, Captain Machado’s experiences have reinforced to her the importance of disaster planning. During the Mt. Vision fire in 1995, MHS established an emergency command post at Point Reyes to care for pets separated from their guardians and set up feeding stations for displaced animals. In 2005, Machado led a disaster relief team on a 10-day mission to the Gulf region in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to assist with the largest pet rescue operation in history. Says Machado, “As we prepare for future disasters, incorporating companion animals into our response plans will preserve people’s safety and the safety of their pets.”

Enforcing Laws & Confronting Cruelty

Enforcement of local and state animal protection laws is also a high priority. Animal Services Officers work closely with local law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office to ensure that egregious cases are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Last year, the DA’s Office successfully prosecuted a serious offender who strangled a cat, resulting in a maximum prison sentence. “Little did we know then that the case would take twists and turns that would result in it being one of the most severe cases of animal cruelty and domestic violence we had ever investigated,” says Captain Machado.

On any given day, Animal Services Officers hit the roads of Marin County with a lengthy list of complaints to investigate, commercial animal operations to inspect, and neighborhoods and parks to patrol. Dave Stapp has been an Animal Services Officer with the Marin Humane Society for 10 years. On a seemingly quiet Tuesday morning, Officer Stapp pulls his truck into the parking lot of Pioneer Park in Novato. The Marin Humane Society has received numerous complaints about dogs running off-leash in the park, despite a prominent sign at the park entrance that reads, “Dogs required to be kept on leash.”

Stapp documents on his patrol log that there are no apparent offenders. But the weekend will be a different story. “It’s usually just a matter of educating the public about city ordinances,” says Stapp. “But occasionally, repeat offenders get ticketed.”

Over the next several hours, Officer Stapp will patrol three additional public parks for off-leash violators, transport a dead bat to the County Health Department in San Rafael for rabies testing, follow-up on a dog bite complaint, and track down an injured wild turkey in a remote area of Novato.

After only two months on the job, Officer Robert Wooster (a self-professed rookie) has learned that every day is never quite the same. “You never know what each day will bring,” says Wooster. On a recent spring morning, Wooster begins his shift by responding to a call about a “neglected” Rottweiler —an anonymous neighbor has complained that the Rottweiler has a large growth on its face. After careful investigative work, Wooster finds out that the dog’s guardians have already taken their dog to the vet for cancer treatment. “They are very responsible pet guardians faced with an unfortunate situation,” confirms the vet office.

Next, Officer Wooster follows-up on a complaint about an extremely thin cat “stuck” on a porch in an apartment complex. Luckily, the owner is home and after careful questioning Wooster learns that the cat is 17 years old and suffers from kidney disease. With access to clean water, food and shelter, the cat is not in immediate danger but has declined in health over the last few months and needs to see a vet. An MHS officer will follow-up with the guardian in a few days to make sure the cat has received proper medical care.

Minutes later, a “Code 2” emergency call comes across the truck radio. Wooster receives word about an injured rabbit in the parking lot at Indian Valley College.

Marin’s Animal Services Officers handle all wildlife calls for the county. Typically these animals are injured or, especially in the spring, orphaned newborns. This rabbit has been hit by a car. Wooster sees immediately that the animal is struggling to move due to a severely injured paw, but he’s optimistic that local wildlife rehabilitation organization WildCare can care for his injuries. There’s no sign of a rookie officer at work here as Wooster deftly nets the rabbit and places him in a carrier for transport.

Based on Officer Wooster’s initial report, several days later Officer Marc Rose conducts a follow-up check of the sickly cat in Novato. This time, the guardian’s brother is home and he assures Officer Rose that his sister has already made a vet appointment for the cat. “Not that we don’t trust people,” says Rose, “but we ALWAYS double-check with the vet.” A phone call to the doctor confirms that, indeed, the cat is under vet care.

One recent case that required a sense of humor occurred when Officer Rose was called to rescue a sickly cat stuck in the bushes. Approaching very cautiously, Rose could see a black and white medium-hair cat struggling to move. Hissing while attempting to move its head, the cat appeared to be in distress. As Rose inched closer, something began to seem…well, almost mechanical…about the cat. Turns out, a neighbor had mistaken an animal toy for a cat. “It was very life-like,” says Rose, “but battery-operated.”

After four years working in Animal Services, Officer Rose believes that having the ability to think on your feet—and remain calm—are essential attributes for the job. “So many situations are unique that despite your training, you simply cannot be prepared for every circumstance that comes along.”

Like when a horse gets stuck in a hole filled with sewage.

“It was difficult to decide what to do,” remembers Officer Rose of the 2004 rescue. Also on scene was 35 year veteran Lieutenant Steve Hill who, Rose recalls, devised the following plan with the Novato Fire Department. “We attached some ropes to the horse and brought in a backhoe to dig out the area in front of him. We used the ropes to keep the horse up when he would flail, and than as a path emerged for him to walk, we pulled in that direction to maneuver him out of the sludge.”

The plan worked—and the horse was uninjured.

The Marin Humane Society has been providing animal services for the community for more than 60 years. In 1946, the Society made the decision to take on animal services for the cities and County of Marin. Up until then, there were no government-funded shelters for stray or injured animals in the county. The Society resolved to establish particularly high standards of care as the County’s animal services department, and in doing so built a legacy that continues to this day. In fact, MHS is considered a role model by other jurisdictions throughout the country of how excellence in animal protection can be achieved.

Marin County is a community that supports the efforts of MHS Animal Services Officers who are dedicated to keeping animals safe and sound. “The first day on the job I knew I was in the right place,” recalls Field Services Technician Mike Holland. “I made up my mind right there, no matter what it took, I was going to be in this line of work.”Perhaps Sergeant Michelle Rogers sums it up best:

“I believe that animals, regardless of species, size or structure, are to be regarded with the utmost respect. As an Animal Services Officer, my job is to ensure just that.”

Carrie Harrington is the Communications Manager at the Marin Humane Society.

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