The county’s reasoning, according to Boyd, was the strained economy, a need to scale down the county’s budget and to distribute funding more evenly between CARE and Journey Home (previously known as the Rifle Animal Shelter). In 2020, the deficit was offset because CARE was paid a fee for each animal brought in by AC. In 2022, that source of funding decreased to $220,000. In 2019, 123 pets were assigned case numbers at CARE, in 2020, 138 - compared to only three since GarCo AC was nixed.ĭiscretionary grant funding from the county to CARE also took a hit. Pets brought in by AC were assigned a case number at CARE - or, in the case of western Garfield County, at Journey Home Animal Care Center in Rifle. “GarCo AC was involved in the majority of cases regarding stray animals, bite incidents and any neglect or abuse charges in unincorporated Garfield County,” Wes Boyd, executive director of Colorado Animal Rescue (CARE), told The Sopris Sun. In 2021, that number dropped to 309 and thus far in 2022, 255 pet incidents have been recorded.
The county’s vaccine voucher program, previously offered through AC, was likewise done away with.Īccording to the sheriff, criminal violations involving dangerous dogs are still dealt with by the sheriff’s department, the same as any misdemeanor or felony.Īccording to the sheriff’s office, in 2018 there were 1,476 incidents involving pets, 1,586 in 2019 and 1,333 in 2020 - the final year AC was active.
The sheriff noted that county ordinances, such as vaccinating pets are still obligatory, although the enforcement thereof is less frequent without the program. “The reason we had three deputies assigned to AC was because we get so many animal calls including bears, livestock and other calls that are technically other agencies’ jurisdiction,” such as Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Brand Inspector, explained Vallario. In addition to being short on funding, the sheriff’s office is also down 21 positions. Having formed the county’s AC division during his first term, Vallario stated, “Eliminating it was extremely difficult for me,” but, “unfortunately, I have to prioritize people over animals.” Sheriff Lou Vallario told The Sopris Sun that he had to cut 5%, or roughly $1.2 million, of the department’s budget in 2021. When all was said and done, the three positions that made up GarCo’s AC unit were cut. The sheriff’s department set AC on its chopping block. When it came to GarCo’s 2021 budget, the commissioners, faced with a hit in revenue, asked various departments to make cuts where each saw fit. It’s been more than a year since Garfield County (GarCo) has gone without an animal control (AC) unit.
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