The City of Henderson is making changes to its Animal Care and Control division. Starting July 1, the division will move from the Police Department to the Department of Community Development and Services. City leaders believe this shift will allow for more focus on animal care, separate from law enforcement duties, according to News 3 LV.
Gina Greisen, President of Nevada Voters for Animals, shared her concerns with News 3 LV about the restructuring, saying, "We were actually very proud of the fact that Henderson Animal Care and Control was under the police department." She noted that the change could suggest that animal cruelty is not being taken seriously, especially given the "unprecedented number of very serious, horrific animal cruelty cases."
Ian Massy, Assistant Director of Community Development and Services, explained in an interview with 8 News Now that the restructuring of the Animal Care and Control division is due to multiple factors, including the timing with the fiscal year. He confirmed that the division’s budget and plans for a facility expansion would remain unchanged. Concerns about the timing of the announcement were raised after Griesen noted that city staff were informed just minutes before it was made public. Deputy Chief Brandon Brooks of the Henderson Police Department clarified that staff was informed the same day as the announcement and assured that animal control operations would remain unchanged. A spokesperson for the City of Henderson stated, "By moving Animal Care and Control to Community Development and Services, the division can receive more focused support without competing with law enforcement priorities."
