Published June 22 2016
The dog catcher likes dogs. That's the first thing you should know about an animal control officer featured in the summer issue of It's Your City, which just came out over the weekend. The newsletter also features:
- The Bellwether sculpture exhibition coming soon;
- Potential ballot measures that would fund neighborhood safety and fire facility improvements, including upcoming open houses; and
- A column from Mayor John Stokes in which he explores Bellevue's transformation into a global hub of innovation.
The rest of the story about the friendly dog catcher
Aaron Wheatley, animal control officer with Regional Animal Services of King County has three dogs, and he cared for cats and dogs in the county's shelter in Kent for several years before promotion to field officer.
Officer Wheatley's fondness for pets prove helpful when he's dealing with pets and their owners alike. "The goal is compliance, not punishment," Wheatley notes.
Bellevue contracts with King County for animal control services, and pet licensing helps pay for those services. More than 100,000 cats and dogs are licensed with Regional Animal Services, which provides services to 1 million residents in 25 cities, including Bellevue, and unincorporated King County.
According to Tim Anderson, field sergeant with Regional Animal Services, the agency responded to 1,569 calls in the first four months of this year. RASKC found owners for 534 animals in that time, took in 1,654 animals and reunited 198 pets with their owners.
The 5,508 calls for service in 2015 included:
- 36 percent for stray animals;
- 15 percent for animal cruelty;
- 12 percent for vicious or aggressive animals; and
- 11 percent for dead animals on roadways.
The state Department of Fish and Wildlife handles calls regarding raccoons and coyotes.
The field officers typically handle three to nine cases each day, depending on the complexity, Wheatley said. While some of the officers range only in the north or south parts of the county, Wheatley switches from one to the other.
On a weekday in May, Wheatley starts an afternoon patrol with a visit to Downtown Park, where reports of unleashed dogs come in periodically. Wheatley says he regularly receives complaints about unleashed dogs at various parks, but he’s rarely found one. He spot checks parks at various times of day between other field calls.
On this sunny afternoon, there are several people strolling the promenade or walking in the grass with pets. People notice Wheatley right away. He wears a black uniform and baseball cap with the RASKC badge and drives a heavy-duty truck with "Animal Control" on the sides in big letters and six compartments in the back for pets. Yes, he does have a net.
After that, Wheatley responds to a stray dog report. The owner has been letting their pet wander the neighborhood is the complaint, accompanied by a video of the dog pooping in someone's yard with no owner or leash in sight.
Wheatley is polite and doesn't argue when the woman who comes to the door claims she's not the owner. He just leaves contact information. He wants to give them a chance to explain their side, but their dog was reported loose last year too. They will probably receive a $50 fine.
"I like going out into the world and making a difference," said Wheatley, who doesn't like sitting in an office. "I'm helping the animals and the people."
Indeed, Regional Animal Services does a lot to help animals and people across King County. Pet owners are required to license their pets, which supports RASKC. You can buy a license online or at City Hall or other Bellevue locations listed on the city's pet licensing web page.