Police make a difference
One of the principal goals of the Police Department is to provide the highest level of service for the animals and the residents of Montgomery County. "We measure our success," Chief Manger said, "by providing dependable enforcement of the animal control laws and animal welfare procedures. Plus, our training in proper handling procedures and receiving basic information about different animal species also help us do our job more effectively."
But it takes more than knowing the laws and being well-trained. Physical accommodations for the animals is also essential.
“The Shelter desperately needs a new physical plant,” Manger said. This is the highest priority because it is in “deplorable condition”: The building is nearly 30 years old with serious structural problems, and it is too small and cramped for the number of animals housed there. A new facility would allow the society to provide more adequate care and sheltering services. Manger also feels that the staffing levels should be increased to deal adequately with the increasing number of animals that are brought in. Another pressing need is a badly needed increase in salaries for the staff.
Chief Drew Tracy
Prior to his current position as assistant chief and director of the Management Services Bureau of the Montgomery County Police, Tracy was captain and the first director of ASD when it moved in 1988 from the civilian side of county government to the Police Department. Chief Tracy approved of the reorganization because "it made sense and made it much easier for the two groups to interact, communicate (via monitoring radio channels), and coordinate resources." He especially praises the MCHS Foster Program for its contributions to the health and welfare of animals brought to the shelter.
Updating the Animal Control Ordinance -- Microchipping
Chapter 5 of the Animal Control Law gets amended periodically via a proscribed, legal process. Amendments are introduced to the County Council by the Humane Society or citizens and are then sent to the Public Safety Commission for review. After the Commission reviews the items, it sends them back to the Council for a vote.
According to Chief Tracy, the introduction of microchipping was an important change to the law because it now became easier to monitor animals that left the shelter. “Balancing the safety of citizens with the welfare of animals is important because pets are so important to people,” he said. “Since there are so many pet owners now, it is vital to monitor an animal’s location in order to get it back as quickly as possible to the owner. Microchipping animals allows us to do that.”
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A surprising factoid
About one-quarter of all intakes at the shelter are wildlife pickups such as coyotes, raccoons, snakes, woodchucks. All are sent to Second Chance Wildlife Center in Gaithersburg.
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