Citing a lack of animal control presence within city limits, Durango is bringing animal control operations in-house.
In addition to off-leash dogs, the city will respond to bear reports and other wildlife issues, officials said.
Both the city and La Plata County currently contract animal control services from the La Plata County Humane Society, which also operates the area’s no-kill animal shelter under a separate agreement.
Police Chief Brice Current said the city will continue to work closely with the shelter.
Durango Police Department will oversee animal control in the city, hiring officers and training them to address off-leash dogs, bear encounters, provide public education and respond to wildlife-related issues, said Bob Brammer, assistant city manager, during a City Council budget retreat Monday.
The city has a $290,000 contract with the Humane Society for animal control services, which Brammer said does not justify the price tag.
The police department will advance its park ranger program to include animal control, enabling faster, more reliable responses to calls, he said.
Current said the department has received 1,500 animal control-related calls so far this year.
Brammer said the $290,000 could fund up to four patrol officers and partially support a supervisor. The city is considering hiring two to three animal control officers and promoting a park ranger to oversee the program.
The contract with the Humane Society is funded through the city’s general fund, and those same funds would be redirected to internal operations.
The contract requires that two patrol officers be designated specifically for animal control within city limits, according to the city.
But Brammer said it appears those designated officers are responding to calls outside city limits.
“You may be getting lost in the shuffle if there’s more phone calls out in the county,” City Manager José Madrigal said. “Whereas here, we can ensure that (our officers) are actually focused completely within our city limits.”
The contract expires at the end of 2028, but early termination is allowed with notice. The city filed its notice of termination Oct. 10.
Some Durango residents have called for stricter enforcement of off-leash dog regulations at city parks, fields and along the Animas River Trail, especially after a cyclist-dog encounter led to the death of resident Steven Miller, 76, in March.
Residents have also requested more enforcement of off-leash violations, slower cycling along the Animas River Trail, and the creation of new dog parks along the Animas River Trail to reduce dog-cyclist conflicts.
cburney@durangoherald.com
