This week is Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week. The Knoxville Police Department celebrates the hard work of their 6-member Animal Control Unit (ACU) who have the difficult job of rescuing and protecting pets and animals.
In 2016, the ACU responded to more than 12,400 incidents including 2,900 animals that were picked up and transported. Fortunately, the number of animals being picked up is declining as the Spay Shuttle Program has had a tremendous impact on the number of unwanted puppies and kittens as more citizens utilize the program to their advantage.
Until the day comes when there are no abused, unwanted, abandoned and homeless pets, there will always be a need for dedicated Animal Control Officers.
We thank our Animal Control Officers for their service to the Knoxville community!
Pictured left to right: Nicholas O. Powell, Keith J. Hogue, Roger L. Kelley, Supervisor Karen M. Pappas, Rhonda L. Bender, & Kevin K. Carlson.