Arlington Police Welcome New Animal Control Officer

ARLINGTON, MA – Courtney Wilson will join the Arlington Police Department as the new animal control officer for the town, Chief Julie Flaherty announced Wednesday.

Wilson comes to the Arlington Police Department from the Lowell Police Department where she worked with domestic and wild animals as an animal control officer for three years.

Wilson graduated from the Massachusetts Animal Control Academy (MACA) in October 2022 and is certified in pet CPR and first aid. She is trained to handle cases involving animal cruelty, dangerous dogs, reptiles, and disaster relief management specific to domestic animals, according to Arlington PD’s blog.

Before graduating from MACA, Wilson worked as a kennel manager at a Middlesex County animal hospital.

“We are very excited to welcome ACO Wilson to the Arlington Police Department,” Chief Flaherty said in the blog post. “She brings considerable experience working with animals to her new role, and we look forward to seeing the great service she will provide to the Town of Arlington.”

Animal control officers enforce town by-laws and state animal control laws, as well as responding to requests by community members for help with catching loose or lost animals, aggressive dogs, and injured animals, among other requests.

The Arlington Police Department also received a new, fully-equipped animal control and rescue vehicle along with the hiring of Wilson.

Arlington residents can contact Arlington Animal Control and Wilson through police dispatch at 781-643-1212, or by email at [email protected].