Amador County – Amador County Supervisors last week discussed potential cuts to the Animal Control budget, while industry professionals urged the importance of Animal Control.

County Administrative Officer Chuck Iley said A-PAL funding is included in Animal Control’s budget, under special services. Supervisor Ted Novelli asked why there was an increase in special service costs. Vail said the line item was restored by other line items.

Susan Manning of A- PAL said she thought it would be “best to cut workload areas where the workload is down.” She said A-PAL spent $57,000 last year, while we asked the county to contribute $15,000.”

Veterinarian Alison Pilsbury said she has seen how the shelter has changed and “now it is a poster for all of the shelters in California,” being well run and utilized with great staff.

She wanted to “go past warm and fuzzy and talk about liability.” She asked Supervisor Brian Oneto when was the last time that he roped and castrated cattle with no help. She said she asked Oneto because he has been in the cattle business a long time.

Pilsbury said you can have severe injury that can be career ending. She has access to drugs to calm down animals, but Animal Control officers may not have that.

She said shelter staff work with backup, but if it is needed and not there, they risk having career ending injury. When you deal with an animal that’s stressed and can turn and bite you, liability is very important.

Pilsbury said when an animal has been hit, employees are on call at night, and a veterinarian will be called to help. There is also potential rabies issues, which also need backup.

Forster said: “I have roped cows out in the middle of nowhere to pull a calf and it’s not very easy and it’s not very fun.” He said “cows don’t bite very hard but they can run over you.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.