Residents press Selma council for full‑time animal control officer amid complaints about shelter response

Residents told the Selma City Council on April 2 that the animal shelter's current staffing and response model leaves injured animals unattended and asked the council to fund a full‑time animal control officer.

At the workshop several speakers, including Rose Robertson, described incidents in which callers reported no response to injured animals and pressed council and staff for more reliable coverage. "We keep climbing and I'm still not hearing a full‑time ACCO," Robertson said, referencing the animal control officer role. Other residents said shelter cages often appear empty and questioned whether the city's roughly $588,000 annual shelter budget delivers consistent after‑hours service.

City staff explained the shelter currently operates on a call‑for‑service model rather than proactive patrols; some shelter staff can respond to calls but the shelter does not maintain a 24/7 patrol model. Director Fletcher and other staff said cross‑training existing employees is a possibility but acknowledged a need for a designated field response person to address after‑hours incidents. Staff also said the $145,000 figure for an animal‑services officer plus vehicle is a rough estimate and that vehicle costs may be covered through enterprise fleet leasing over several years rather than a single one‑time purchase.

Council members and staff said they would consider options including cross‑training, hiring a dedicated animal services officer, leasing vehicles, or revisiting mutual aid and interlocal agreements. No formal action was taken; staff said the requests and public testimony will be included in the upcoming budget drafts for further council review.

The council did note upcoming community services such as a public rabies and vaccination clinic at Pioneer Village and said it will continue to evaluate shelter staffing, operations and potential funding sources.