Animal Protection Police May Merge With County's Animal Shelter

FAIRFAX, VA — Ever since 2016, Animal Protection Police Officers have been under the authority Fairfax County Police Department, receiving the same training as the county's law enforcement officers. County leaders are considering a proposal to place APPOs under the authority of the Department of Animal Sheltering.

"We are proposing to unite animal care and control functions under DAS, bringing Fairfax County into alignment with industry best practices," DAS Director Reasa Currier, told Patch in December. "Fairfax County, in effecting the consolidation, must transition the enforcement of animal protection laws from Animal Protection Police Officers to Animal Control Officers, who will report to a chief ACO under the director of DAS."

In 2023, APPOs responded to 18,004 animal-related calls for service. Of those calls, only three required search warrants and there was only one custodial arrest, actions that require a county police officer to perform. FCPD detectives and patrol officers already provide that support for the county's Animal Control Officers.

During 2023, the Fairfax County Animal Shelter touched the lives of more than 6,400 pets, saving 3,857 lives through adoption and unification, as well as placing 1,166 pets in foster homes and distributing 25,016 pounds of pet food to the community. In addition, a second shelter in Lorton was opened to provide animal support services to South County residents.

From a public safety perspective, Animal Control Officers would have the same enforcement power for the care, treatment and control of animals across the county, including:

• Issuing a summons, obtaining search and arrest warrants
• Investigation of animal cruelty and neglect
• Investigation of animal fighting
• Investigation of animal bites
• Response to sick, injured, or stray companion animals
• Rabies vaccination and dog license enforcement

The majority of emergency calls that DAS receives are for minor code violations or requests for help involving sick, injured, orphaned or stray animals, according to information presented at the committee meeting in January.

"Data shows that nearly 75 percent of animals come into the shelter for human reasons, ranging from a lack of access to veterinary care and lack of pet friendly housing," Reasa told the committee. "Because we have two separate agencies with two different missions providing animal services, we're missing key opportunities to connect our residents with the services from the shelter that could support families staying together with their pets."

By adopting the proposal, Fairfax County would be joining neighboring jurisdictions who are already providing animal services under a consolidated model. These include the city of Alexandria, Arlington County, Prince William County, Loudoun County, the District of Columbia, and Montgomery County, Maryland.

At the committee meeting in January, Chief of Police Kevin Davis noted that the change was about the county's structure for animal control and not a reflection of the Animal Protection Police officers.

Fairfax County residents will have two opportunities in March to learn more about and provide feedback on the county's plan to consolidate its animal protection and sheltering services.

Public Town Hall Meetings

• Monday, March 11, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Michael R. Frey Campus, 4500 West Ox Road in Fairfax.
• Wednesday, March 13, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and Fairfax County Animal Shelter - Lorton Campus, 8875 Lorton Road in Lorton.

County Manager Bryan Hill included the consolidation as part of his Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Proposal, so the board of supervisors will consider the proposal as part of the budget process.

Once the budget is approved, the county will assemble a transition team, survey APPOs, determine vacancies, evaluate future staffing needs, and hire the Chief Animal Control Officer, according to information from the January committee meeting. APPO pay and retirement benefits will be unaffected by the consolidation.