More people. More animals. Tighter spaces.

That’s the reality of the landscape in the San Juan Islands today and, according to a local animal advocacy group, it’s a combination that demands a greater level of awareness, training and dedication to the cause of animal protection than local law enforcement is presently equipped or inclined to provide.

“Washington state has many animal laws in place but enforcing them requires education and some basic resources that I feel our current law enforcement team does not have available to them,” Jennifer Rigg of the San Juan Island Animal Task Force said.

Members of Task Force, founded in late 2012 and largely in response to several incidents of perceived animal abuse or neglect, called on the County Council last week to pick up the cause of instituting an animal control officer in the Sheriff’s Department, or to help boost the level of training among deputies in situations where an animal’s well-being is at risk.

They found a sympathetic ear in council Chairman Rick Hughes, who vowed to make space for the group on a future council agenda. Hughes encouraged the Task Force to also elicit support of animal protection organizations elsewhere in the islands for what would be, for the council, a countywide proposition. The Task Force is circulating a petition in support of its cause.

“There’s definitely an interest in finding a solution to this, at least from my perspective,” Hughes said.

Does caseload warrant dedicated animal cop?

Sheriff Rob Nou acknowledges the department has no designated animal control officer at this time. Former undersheriff Jon Zerby had that departmental assignment for 13 years before retiring from the force in mid-2012. Zerby said he had no formal training in animal control prior to taking on the role.

Nou said the number of calls the department receives about abuse or neglect would not justify the disruption or expense of training the department’s 20 sworn officers in animal control, which would require a two-week course at the state academy for each. The department historically has relied on assistance of local veterinarians when such cases arise, he said.

Nou said he is “not adverse” to have deputies trained in animal control and noted they respond regularly to nuisance complaints about involving animals, primarily dogs.

Still, Task Force members contend several recent situations of neglect or abuse have not drawn the attention of law enforcement that they deserve. Rigg said local animal shelters regularly receive calls from people who mistakenly believe that a shelter can intervene on behalf of an animal when it may be at risk.

“They don’t have the authority to investigate or uphold the laws,” she said. “That job is with the sheriff’s department.”

But because the department lacks proper procedures, Rigg said, or lacks an officer trained for such cases, calls made directly to the sheriff’s department have not been made a “pressing” priority.

Nuisance vs. neglect; matter of degree

San Juan County and the Town of Friday Harbor each have an arsenal of laws that apply to dangerous dogs and potentially dangerous dogs, as well as laws directed at animals that create a public nuisance, such as dogs running loose or that bark incessantly. Situations of alleged animal abuse or neglect, however, which generally fall under criminal codes, can be time-consuming and require expertise in gathering evidence to bring a case to prosecution, according to veterinarian Michelle Loftus, a Task Force associate.

“How long can you leave a dog in a hot car? What’s the temperature outside?” Loftus said. “As our first responders, deputies need training to recognize and to be able to define animal abuse or neglect.”

Zerby believes the department would benefit from having an officer dedicated to animal control, even if only part-time. In addition to working cases or following up on complaints, that officer might also help generate revenue to support either the position or the county “livestock loss” fund by enforcing dog license laws.

Rigg maintains the local animal protection society could muster the money needed to pay for an animal control officer, or training for deputies, as part of the groups’ fundraising efforts. The cost of the two-week training course is $350, she said, acknowledging travel, room and board would add to the overall expense.

“Sure, the number of calls are not as great as drug calls, but theses are domesticated animals and they deserve to be treated with respect,” she said.