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Coeur d’Alene police to manage animal control

Debi Slater is the new animal control officer of Coeur d'Alene. The city recently ended its contract with the Watson Agency, which previously employed Slater. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Taryn Brodwater Staff writer
Debi Slater is the new animal control officer of Coeur d'Alene. The city recently ended its contract with the Watson Agency, which previously employed Slater. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

The Coeur d’Alene Police Department is taking over animal control for the city.

Animal Control Officer Debi Slater will respond to complaints about loose or vicious dogs in a new truck the city purchased, Sgt. Christie Wood said Friday.

Slater previously worked in that same capacity for the Watson Agency, which provided animal control under a contract with the city through February.

The city severed that contract after the state Department of Agriculture found violations at the Coeur d’Alene animal shelter operated by the private security firm.

“I think it’s actually going to be a good fit,” said Coeur d’Alene Police Capt. Steve Childers, who is overseeing animal control. Childers said the department used to handle animal control many years ago.

“As I recall, it worked out pretty well,” he said.

Since the shelter closed, strays and lost dogs from Coeur d’Alene have been housed at a shelter operated by the Post Falls Police Department.

Coeur d’Alene Deputy City Administrator Jon Ingalls said the city is continuing to look into long-term solutions for a shelter in Coeur d’Alene. Ingalls said the agreement between Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls is for six months.

Animal control will be staffed 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. During those hours, Coeur d’Alene residents can license their dogs at the Police Department, 3818 Schreiber Way.

License fees are $7 for neutered dogs and $15 for unneutered dogs, Wood said. Dogs must be vaccinated for rabies prior to licensing.

Licensing pets helps the city reunite lost animals with their owners, she said.

Coeur d’Alene residents can report a pet lost or missing by calling the Police Department’s nonemergency number, Childers said. On weekends and after hours, the call will be handled by dispatchers.

Childers said the Police Department or dispatch can check if a lost pet has been picked up by animal control and brought to the Post Falls shelter.

Neither Childers nor City Finance Director Troy Tymesen had details Friday of what the new animal control arrangement would cost.