The government operations committee of Bangor, Maine, is exploring the idea of shifting responsibility of animal control from the city clerks office to the police department.
Both entities went on record saying a change makes sense because, although the clerks office handled the administrative portion of animal control well, it had problems with the enforcement aspect.
Conversely, police officers often handle animal complaints on nights and weekends, and routinely deal with the civil issues.
Bangor animal control handles problems with domesticated animals, including cats. Problems involving wild animals, such as moose and deer, are handled by the Maine Warden Service.
The shift has neither received final approval nor a timetable. The jurisdiction change would require approval of a city ordinance amendment.
Posted: April 19, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST