Gila County animal control officers rescue dogs, cats and even javelinas
Contributed article/courtesy: Carol Broeder
GILA COUNTY – What Would You Do In This Situation: A Six Shooter Canyon caller reports that the hapless javelin tumbled into a sinkhole about 20 feet deep and was unable to escape. Luckily for this scruffy creature, Gila County Animal Control and Management Officers arrived on the scene and rescued Javelina with the help of partners in the Arizona Department of Hunting and Fish. This process took him three hours to complete safely and carefully.
“A frightened javelin was stuck in the bottom of the sinkhole. As you can imagine, there were various obstacles to overcome,” explained Animal Control Officer Manuel Riddle. “The pit itself had a single perimeter, and the sinkhole was lined with boulders, concrete foundations, pipes and tree roots, all of which made recovery difficult for us. For your safety, and ours too, we have sedated the Javelina, using a secure pulley system to tie the snare and paracord we use to catch timid animals. , moved to safety – stayed for some time, monitored at a safe distance, while the tranquilizers wore off and he regained consciousness.”
Another day in the life of the dedicated team of officers and staff at Gila County Animal Care & Control. It’s a challenging job, but the daily satisfaction and reward comes from rescuing stray dogs, reuniting them with their worried owners, and helping find new loving homes for adoptable animals. yields a share of
April 9-15: National Animal Caretaker Appreciation Week
One of the most popular and growing communities in Gila County on social media is facebook.com/GilaCountyAnimalCare/ 3,800 followers help reunite lost pets with anxious owners and find new permanent homes for adoptable dogs and cats.
Another reason to love and follow this page. In posts throughout April, we’ll spotlight each of our dedicated officers and learn more about them and their work during the national observance of National Animal Care Officers Appreciation Week. Manuel Riddle, Anthony Pascalik, Tina Cummings, Jared Garcia, Eric Kenney.
Can a job lead to a career?
Yes, just ask John Castaneda, Program Manager for Animal Care and Control.
About 30 years ago, JC started as a temporary director and rose to manager. “Undoubtedly, my favorite part of the job is when lost animals are reunited with their owners, and when the staff’s efforts pay off and stray dogs find new homes,” said Globe Theater’s Lifetime Artist. Resident Castaneda said.
“This job offers a balance of indoor work in our offices and animal shelters with the opportunity to patrol all unincorporated areas of Gila County, investigating reports of stray and injured dogs. , help neighbors solve nuisance animal problems, and enforce county laws.At any time, our staff are encouraged to report animal neglect or cruelty, barking dogs, or offensive complaints. Candidates should be able to competently interview debriefing calls from residents, speak with dog owners, and provide basic information to help resolve neighborhood disputes amicably. must have good interpersonal skills. Animal control officers also write reports, issue subpoenas, and prepare court documents. Specimens to be submitted to state laboratories for rabies testing need to be collected less frequently. Yes, there is also office work. Selling annual dog licenses, renting traps, cleaning and disinfecting vehicles, kennels and equipment. ”
Interested in joining this team? Starting salaries for Gila County Animal Care and Control personnel were increased last year to $41,955. Staff work at our new state-of-the-art facility near the Gila County Fairgrounds. Minimum educational background required? A high school diploma or GED is sufficient. Read job descriptions and apply online for Gila County Government jobs. Governmentjobs.com/careers/gilaaz.
