Commissioner urges review of animal control after prolonged shelter stays and rising costs

Commissioner McMahon urged fellow commissioners to review the county animal control operation, citing long‑stay dogs, rising staffing costs and the diversion of law‑enforcement attention to shelter duties.

McMahon said the shelter currently holds animals that have been in county care for extended periods — including a dog reported as on site since April of the previous year — and told the board animal control is requesting more than $300,000 from the county general fund in the coming budget. He said the department is functioning in part as a long‑term care facility for dogs that have not been adopted.

McMahon suggested policies to reduce long‑stay populations, including limited holding periods and stronger adoption outreach, and recommended examining privatization options. He noted several Michigan counties contract with humane organizations or nonprofits to provide sheltering services and suggested the county consider a similar approach to reduce costs and refocus animal control on enforcement and public‑safety duties.

Other commissioners said they would consider the options and asked for additional information. McMahon said he supports community adoption efforts but added that the county cannot fund indefinite sheltering without clearer adoption outcomes.

No formal decision was taken; the commissioner asked staff to examine alternatives and report back as the budget process continues.