Sheriff Joe’s pet project

The article of June 12, where Spokane County and local cities would share a $15 million animal facility, brought memories back to several years ago while on a family vacation to Arizona. As Stevens County commissioner at the time, I was granted an interview with Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County (America’s toughest sheriff).

One of the many programs that Sheriff Arpaio explained to me was that the county was spending $18 million on stray animals. Sheriff Joe offered to take over the department, and the commissioners said yes.

The animal shelters are all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for strays, and every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners that are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes to anyone who would like to adopt an animal. Now, for the best part: His budget for this department is $3 million.

The prisoners get the benefit of about 28 cents an hour for working, but some would work for free just to be out of the cell for the day. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.

Tony Delgado

Loon Lake