The Sunnyvale animal control program reaps the benefits of being a part of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety by utilizing all the department's available resources and expertise.

Being part of the law enforcement group only enhances the animal control unit's skills and capabilities, according to Michelle Morgan, senior community service officer in the animal control program.

Morgan worked for the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley—a multi-jurisdictional facility—for four years before she joined the animal control unit in Sunnyvale five years ago.

"Sunnyvale does things in the most efficient way," Morgan says. "The integration of the different departments is the key."

For more than 10 years the Sunnyvale animal control unit has been providing field services to its residents. When the unit receives a call, a field officer sets out in a specially fitted, fully equipped truck to help the animal in need. The truck is fitted with strobe lights for better visibility and recognition. The trucks house two large animal boxes that can be converted into an extra large box should the need arise. Additionally there are one medium and two small boxes, as well as a separate storage area to transport dead animals, and lots of space for paperwork.

The computer-assisted dispatch is designed to provide residents a quick response. In winter, the unit receives an average of 8 to 10 calls a day from people reporting dead, stray or injured animals. Animal control also deals with pet surrendering, municipal code violations, pet nuisance, wildlife disturbance and other complaints. During the spring and summer months, calls increase, Morgan says.

Although there are three animal control officers in the unit, only one officer works in the field on any given day, Morgan says. The animal control officers are trained to take care of most issues concerning animals, she says, with public safety officers providing help if necessary.

Morgan says being part of the department of public safety enables the animal control unit to enforce the municipal code, issue search warrants and share information in cases involving gangs, animal fights and other crimes. When police officers find animals while conducting home searches, they contact the animal control unit to remove the animals and keep them in a safe location until the situation is resolved.

"We also have all the resources necessary for a crime scene investigation," she says about the animal control unit. "We differ from other agencies in that we conduct our own investigations."

The department demonstrated its efficiency and teamwork in the case of Lucky, a Scottish terrier who suffered second- and third-degree burns after being set on fire last month.

On Dec. 12, the Murphy Avenue Pet Clinic in Sunnyvale called the public safety department after the badly burned 10-month-old Lucky was brought in for treatment. Animal Control Officer Brian Tidwell responded to the call.

Lucky had suffered severe burns on his head and genital area. His right ear and eye were so badly burned that at first the veterinarian thought he might not be able to save them. He came in completely singed and yellowish brown in color, whereas before his fur had been white. He had to be shaved completely and sedated just to be examined.

"Looking at him I didn't think that poor little guy was going to recover," Tidwell says.

However, with tender loving care, multiple skin graft surgeries and a lot of help and support from the community in covering the thousands of dollars in medical costs, Lucky has made remarkable progress and is on his way to a slow but steady recovery.

Deborah Parrish, Lucky's owner, says it was because of the efforts of the public safety department that the suspects in the Lucky case were apprehended. And Tidwell began the investigative process.

"Brian was simply awesome," Parrish says.

After gathering information and documenting Lucky's wounds, Tidwell started to gather information and evidence about the events leading up to his injury. After getting more information and a statement from Parrish, Tidwell went back to the Parrish home to investigate and collect fingerprints.

"The boys' fingerprints were all over the lighter fuel can in my backyard," Parrish says, referring to the two youths who are suspects in the case.

According to Morgan, the unit then contacted the neighborhood resource officer for the area. A neighborhood resource officer is assigned to a particular school and is supposed to have information on children from the neighborhood, she says. As the unit had suspected, the officer knew of the boy and his questionable conduct. Tidwell then contacted the fire inspection unit, who brought in an arson specialist.

The combined effort of the different departments enabled the public safety officers to arrest the two youths and charge them with animal cruelty felony charges, according to Byron Pipkin, special operations officer for the public safety department. The suspects, whose names are being withheld because of their ages, will soon face charges in juvenile court, Pipkin says.

"We were able to share our information and resources very effectively," Morgan explains.

Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer Debbie Parrish sits with her dog Lucky, a 10-month-old Scottish terrier. Last month Lucky was taken from his backyard, doused with lighter fluid and set on fire.

However, public safety officers say the process could be even faster if residents are aware of what to do when faced with a similar situation.

Pipkin says many residents do not know that Sunnyvale has its own animal field services and can help quickly in situations like Lucky's.

Councilman Fred Fowler also stresses the importance of calling 911 as soon as possible when an animal is in any kind of trouble.

"In Lucky's case, a crime was committed," Fowler says. "The sooner an animal can be taken care of, the sooner the police can go in to solve the crime."

Although Sunnyvale's animal control unit was established more than 10 years ago, the program has had its troubles in recent years.

According to Fowler, for many months in 2001 the unit did not replace two officers who had departed, although the council had always fully funded the program. With the positions unfilled, only one officer remained to handle animal control in Sunnyvale.

"We had difficulty finding the right people," Pipkin explains. The situation was remedied, he says, when they found more officers. The unit is once again a full-fledged animal control team.

The members of the unit are now working to increase their visibility. Animal control officers, in conjunction with public safety officers, are developing a program that will take the issue of animal safety into local schools.

According to Dori Fontaine, community service officer and volunteer liaison for the public safety department, the volunteer-driven program will teach children about pet safety. After a presentation for the students, the volunteer would show a video about pet safety and later do an activity with the children.

The department has approached Sunnyvale schools about the program to gauge interest and is looking for more volunteers to help with the program, Fontaine says.

Capt. Greg Kevin has been managing the animal control program for the past seven months.

"We're trying to run this program as a one-stop shop for animal needs," Kevin says.

When faced with any animal in need of help, Sunnyvale residents can either call 911 or the animal control unit at 408.730.7178.