Bastrop, Tx–At a meeting today, Bastrop County commissioners approved the transfer of the county’s animal control authority and operations to the sheriff’s department,
Betty Wade, who has been the department’s only director since the operation was created a decade ago, will assist in the transition, effective Oct. 1, said Pct. 4 Commissioner Lee Dildy. Wade will move to a new county position, said Dildy.
Sheriff Terry Pickering said the animal control function will be under the direction of Troy Walters, most recently a jail supervisor who has prior experience in animal control and welfare operations. Walters will report to Sheriff’s Department Captain Joey Dzienowski, who also heads the department’s criminal investigation section, said Pickering.
The sheriff said county residents should expect an improved level of responsiveness from the animal control operation and “different hours for the adoption of animals,” including weekend and evening hours. He did not elaborate.
Pickering said he expects jail inmates to provide more routine labor at the animal shelter in maintenance, feeding and other routine tasks.
Dildy said Wade will take on a new job to work with Cedar Creek area residents and organizations interested in opening and operating the new county park next door to Cedar Creek Elementary School.