Clark County has nearly restaffed its animal control service after abruptly firing most of its employees earlier this year.
In May, Community Development Director Mitch Nickolds fired longtime animal control manager Paul Scarpelli for consuming a beer while representing the county (Scarpelli said he was not on the clock at the time).
The next month, Nickolds fired three of five animal control officers, as well as a code enforcement officer and two office staff. The cause of their termination was their involvement in an unsanctioned gathering during the work day to commiserate Scarpelli’s firing. Alcohol was consumed by employees at the event.
Bob Bergquist, Community Development administrative service manager, said that the county has now replaced two animal control officers and two administrative positions. Bergquist said that the county now has four animal control officers and is working on hiring a fifth.
Susan Anderson has also taken over as manager of Clark County’s Animal Protection and Control and Code Enforcement Services. According to a county press release, Anderson previously served 13 years in the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office as a senior deputy fire marshal. She also has 22 years of experience in code administration and 10 years in the local animal welfare community.
Pat Vichas, chair of the Animal Control Advisory Board, and other members of the animal welfare community have criticized county management’s decision to suddenly dismiss so many officers right before the warmer months, a time when animals go missing. But she said it’s positive the county has hired a permanent manager.
“Hopefully, this will make a difference and things can get back on track,” she said.
Dog parks
Another pressing animal issue in Clark County is its four off-leash dog parks, two in county parks, that are managed by local nonprofit DOGPAW. In June, Mark Watson, the group’s board president, sent the county a letter stating that the parks had become too crowded, difficult to manage and dangerous.
Over the summer, Watson told The Columbian that the parks would be shut down in September without more resources. Since then, The Columbian has been unable to reach Watson for comment.
Lisa Feder, a member of the group’s board, said that Watson has stepped down as president and the parks are still open. She said that in early September, board members met with county officials to discuss options.
She said that the county has been cooperative and they are looking into some alternative ways to help with routine park maintenance.
“We believe very strongly that we will be able to come to some sort of discussion with the county and will be able to keep the dog parks open,” she said.
