Animal control officers
in Maryland are dedicated to the protection of all animals.
An animal control officer, or "animal cop," in the state of Maryland enforces the laws, codes and regulations that pertain to animal control and protection. To become an animal cop, an individual should be prepared to investigate situations that involve sick, injured, neglected or dangerous animals. Animal control officers have several job duties and there are some key skills that officers should possess.
Knowledge and Skills
An animal control officer in Maryland must have at least a high school diploma and possess a Maryland driver's license. Officers should have prior knowledge of humane animal care or the ability to learn this skill in addition to knowledge of proper animal protection and control. Other skills used by animal cops include communication with the public, investigation of possible crimes and enforcing animal protection laws.
Job Duties
Animal control officers patrol assigned areas in their government-issued vehicles. They also respond to emergency calls regarding dead, injured or dangerous animals and investigate complaints of possible animal abuse. Officers should be prepared to remove deceased animals or apprehend stray animals. Animal cops also inspect kennels, pet shops, grooming facilities and other places that contain animals to ensure that all laws and regulations are being followed. Officers must be organized, maintain meticulous records of their actions and be prepared to testify in court.
Conditions of Employment
There can be many unpleasant or hazardous conditions in the field of animal control. Officers work at all hours and often in extreme weather conditions. They can deal with dangerous animals and belligerent citizens who are uncooperative and unpleasant. They must also be mentally prepared to deal with the ramifications of working with dead or abused animals. Animal control officers should be in good physical condition because of job duties such as lifting and carrying heavy animals.
Other Educational Knowledge
In addition to on-the-job training, animal control officers should have knowledge in several other key areas, including law (legal codes, court proceedings and government regulations), public safety (policies, national security strategies and property protection), and communications (media, customer service and training procedures). For individuals who seek management positions, additional formal education is usually helpful in the hiring process.
Tags: animal control, Animal control officers, animals Animal, control officers, dangerous animals