by Larry Chowning –
The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors on October 1 voted 4-0 to turn over the county’s animal control enforcement to the Middlesex County’s Sheriff’s Office.
Hartfield District supervisor John Koontz was not at the meeting but voiced support for the change at the September meeting.
Since May, Middlesex County Animal Control Officer Ricky Warren has suffered health issues that have limited his service, said Sheriff David Bushey. While he was ill, Lancaster County’s animal control officers helped Middlesex by handling “emergency” issues, and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office handled routine aspects of enforcement.
The sheriff made it clear, however, that his department does not want to take over managing the Cooks Corner animal shelter.
Middlesex County assistant county administrator Betty Muncy reported that if the sheriff’s office were to take over animal control enforcement by January 1, it would cost the county $30,883 in new money for half a year. The fiscal year ends June 30, 2019.
