The Durango Police Department’s second animal control ranger began work last week, marking the first time the department’s animal control division has been fully staffed since it took over services from the La Plata County Humane Society.
Lee Hayes joined ranger Elias Lewis, who has been performing animal control duties since January. Hayes, an ecologist specializing in animal behavior, has lived in Durango since 2017 and is originally from Indiana. Lewis, originally from Alaska, is a certified animal control officer who previously worked at the La Plata County Humane Society.
“Rangers help protect animals and support public safety in the city of Durango,” DPD spokeswoman Amanda Garrison said.
Hayes and Lewis – who sound like they could be in a 1970s police officer show – work alternating four-day, 10-hour shifts every week, with one day of overlap to coordinate and expand coverage, Garrison said.
She said Lee and Hayes enforce city animal ordinances; respond to reports involving stray, dangerous, neglected or nuisance animals; and humanely capture, transport and care for animals when needed.
They also investigate animal neglect and cruelty complaints, Garrison said, as well as coordinate rabies quarantines, make public safety alerts and educate the public about responsible pet ownership – including licensing, vaccinations, sterilization, leash laws and pet waste rules.
“Animal rangers also patrol city parks, open spaces, trails and river corridors to help promote public safety and protect natural resources,” she said.
So far, the department responded to 33 animal call and issued 16 citations in the first quarter of 2026. According to data obtained by The Durango Herald, 28 of those calls were related to off-leash dogs, while the remaining five included license tag display issues, repeat off-leash incidents, obstructing police officers and two vicious dog calls.
So far in the second quarter of the year, the department has responded to an additional 83 calls, and no citations have been issued. The department did not provide specifics about the calls.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
