Animal control is for the dogs (and cobras, too)
By Katherine Houstoun CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Animal Control Officer Hunter Price holds a Russian Blue that's in need of a new home. See page 21 for adoption information.

If you've ever lost your beloved family pet only to have it returned to your doorstep by a dedicated animal control officer, you no doubt understand the value of such committed professionals. This week, Chesterfield honors these individuals as part of Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week, the first-ever national effort to recognize animal control service providers, taking place Apr. 13-19.

Chesterfield County employs up to 10 animal control officers - two positions are open at the moment - who far surpass the stereotype of grumpy men with nets and cages.

"These are not dog catchers," said Alice Berry, the county's animal control manager. "They're educated young men and women. They're dedicated people who enjoy working with animals, who truly care about animals, who care about our community and, most importantly, who want to work with the community to resolve problems."

While the officers, who go through 80 hours of state-mandated classroom training and a field training program before hitting the streets on their own, round up all sorts of stray animals, they also investigate reports of neglect and abuse, seize illegal animals, enforce leash laws, handle wildlife that may endanger public safety and educate community members on licenses and health care for their pets.

Rob Leinberger with a black and tan German Shepherd-mix that's available for adoption at the Chesterfield Animal Shelter. For adoption information, see ad on page 21.

"They investigate complaints, talk to citizens, solve community problems," said Berry. "They are skilled investigators, and they know how to present a case in court. They do so much more than go out and pick up a dog."

Rob Leinberger

Rob Leinberger, 38, has been a Chesterfield animal control officer since 1991, giving him the position of second senior-most member on the current team. He experienced one of the strangest animal encounters of his 15-plus years just last summer when he was called in to extricate a cobra from a local apartment.

Steven Ayers Jr. holds a three-monthold Boxer mix that's currently living at the county shelter and looking for a new home. See page 21 for adoption information.

"There was a gentleman who lived in an apartment that was bitten by an albino monocled cobra, one of the most highly poisonous snakes in the world," said Leinberger, who worked previously as a veterinary assistant. "We had to obtain a search warrant, a summons for the cobra owner and involve the rescue squad, several police officers, a manager from the apartment complex - and that was before we even went in to get the cobra. That was the most exotic I've ever dealt with and the most deadly."

Luckily, the cobra was still contained in its aquarium so the team simply had to remove the entire container and turn it over to the Washington National Zoo - no harm done.

Leinberger, whose favorite part of the job is reuniting owners with lost pets, stresses the importance of having a collaborative relationship between animal control and the community.

"Animal control is all about working with the public," he said. "By all means, talk to us. Some people don't like to call because they don't like to be involved. You can be anonymous. If you are concerned about your neighbor's dog looking too skinny, give us a call and let us know. We're not going to judge you for it. We're out there to help, believe it or not."

Hunter Price

Hunter Price, 31, was working as a kennel master for Hanover County Animal Control when he interviewed for a job as an animal control officer for Chesterfield County. Four and a half years later, he relishes the opportunity to interact with the Chesterfield community on a daily basis.

"I really enjoy working with the public on the street and educating them on getting their animals properly vaccinated and licensed," Price said. "I go to schools and talk to the children and help them understand the difference between stray animals and those you can approach. I try to be as proactive as possible."

Though it doesn't happen every day, Price has experienced a few run-ins with animals that don't fit into the typical dog and cat categories.

"A few years ago, we had to deal with an emu," he remembered. "That was crazy to see, especially running wild near Enon Bridge around Interstate 295. It kind of looked like that raptor in 'Jurassic Park.' We got it contained and actually found the owner… Sometimes you see a cow wandering down the road, but that's not an everyday occurrence."

Like Leinberger, Price most enjoys returning pets to their owners.

"The best part of the job is relocating a lost pet back with the family," he said. "I feel proud about that. I actually lost a dog when I was a little boy and was never able to find it, so I try to make the most effort to relocate the pet back with the owners."

Steven Ayers Jr.

With a background in police records, it's no wonder Steven Ayers Jr., 23, takes to the investigation part of his job.

"I like collecting evidence, taking pictures of crime scenes, interviewing people," said Ayers, who used to work in the records room of the police department. "I like being a part of big cases."

Certain cases will compel animal control officers into the courtroom, a responsibility Ayers enjoys.

"I like the court part a lot," he said. "I used to want to be a lawyer, and I took law classes throughout high school…We write tickets about animal neglect just like a police officer writes a speeding ticket, so we have to go in and testify about what we found and provide the witnesses. We basically provide the case against the suspect."

Ayers, who will complete his second year as an animal control officer in May, also enjoys educating the public on animal control issues, including leash laws, disease prevention and proper licenses.

"That's probably my second favorite part, especially when you talk to little kids, and they're all interested in what you do," he said.

And while Ayers now shares his home with two dogs and a cat, he admits that he didn't much like animals before he started his job.

"When I first started, I was kind of afraid of animals, but I just got adjusted to it," he said. "I look at it like this: if there's an aggressive dog, then I'll be protecting the public from it, so I just don't think about it being aggressive."