Animal Control Protects Raleigh’s Most Vulnerable Residents

From capturing a stray peacock to finding a trailer to transport an injured horse to the N.C. State Veterinary School, the Raleigh Animal Control unit is prepared for anything. The unit, part of the Raleigh Police Department, saves pets in danger, protects human and animal health and safety, and helps lost pets get home. The team also enforces laws and ordinances, and helps wildlife, livestock, and exotic animals, in addition to cats, dogs, and other pets.

"No two days are the same - and that's why I love what I do," says Miya Hurley, animal control officer supervisor.

Hurley and her nine colleagues are currently celebrated due to the National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week. The week recognizes the work of animal control officers.

In Raleigh, the officers handle calls that involve:

• Stray animals;
• Abandoned animals;
• Injured animals; and,
• Suspected animal cruelty cases.

Animal control officers are part of the Special Operations Division. They give civil citations and conduct investigations. They take out search and arrest warrants and serve those with their law enforcement colleagues. "We pick up abandoned animals, from ferrets and cats to lizards and birds, and we investigate suspected animal cruelty cases," Hurley summarizes.

Team members also work closely with RPD patrol officers and detectives, who sometimes encounter mistreated, starving, or vicious animals.

Importance of Reuniting Animal with Owner

Animal control officers make every effort to find an animal's owner before they take pets to the Wake County Animal Center. They also work closely with rescue groups that attempt to find homes for the about 5,000 animals they pick up each year.

"We don't want to take away anyone's pets - and we work really hard in trying to find the owners or their next of kin," Hurley says. "We've brought dog food to an owner's family member so the dog could stay with that person instead of having to go to the center."

Wild animals caught by animal control officers are released back into the wild if they are healthy. If they are injured, the officers contact rescue organizations where the injured wildlife can be treated and rehabilitated. The officers also have contacts at rescue groups that specialize in reptiles and other exotic pets.

The team handles a fair number of off-leash incidents and cases that involve the "pooper scooper" law.

One of the most famous animal control cases involved a zebra cobra that was loose in a northwest Raleigh neighborhood in 2021. The deadly and venomous snake caused a few days of panic but didn't end up hurting anyone and was eventually captured. The incident prompted the City to pass the Dangerous Wild Animal Ordinance. Today, keeping these animals within City limits is prohibited.

Hurley has been leading the Animal Control Unit for two years. For her, education and compassion are the most important parts of the job.

"Our number one priority is keeping the public safe and ensuring all animals are treated well," Hurley says. "We educate owners on what they need to do to help reach that goal and we share resources to enable that."