After a year and a half of failed negotiations between the Wheat Ridge Animal Welfare and Control Commission and the police department, City Council is looking to disband or find a new mission for the long-standing organization.
This issue has centered around the role of the commission, which formed in the 1970s when Wheat Ridge still had many rural characteristics — including the prevalence of farm animals and little to no animal control.
Since then, many of the original duties of the commission have been replaced by animal control officers and code enforcers, creating confusion and conflict about the commission’s duties and authority.
City staff says the eight-member commission lacks a mission statement, takes up city resources with no discernible accomplishments, and — with no veterinarians on board (city charter requires two) — lacks leadership.
“We looked all over the region to see if any city really had a similar organization and couldn’t find anything,” Police Chief Dan Brennan said. “My feeling is there is certainly an educational role for the commission, and we tried to get them to take it, but that didn’t work.”
Commission members say their views and suggestions on animal welfare aren’t taken seriously by the police department, and they provide knowledge to the city and residents on issues ranging from to humane methods of trapping coyotes.
In one example of the group’s diminished role, the commission for years partnered with the police department in conducting kennel inspections. After receiving complaints about some member’s professionalism, Brennan decided only city staff would do the inspections.
“There’s liability issues pertaining to what are essentially volunteers going out and conducting inspections on behalf of the city,” Brennan said. “We wanted to make sure our organization put out a professional image.”
After almost a year of tense negotiations between the police department and the commission, the city The disagreements still seem to be at a standstill, and
District 2 commission member Rhonda Champion said she would like for the commission to report directly to city council on animal control issues and have a council member sit on the board.
“I feel there’s still a role for people to advocate for animals in Wheat Ridge,” Champion said. “Not just dogs and cats, but for coyotes, foxes, cows, skunks, sheep — all animals.”
District 1 commission member Bea Slingsby has lived in Wheat Ridge for over five decades and has previously served on the board. She believes it should be disbanded.
“We have no power and strictly serve in an advisory capacity,” she said. “It seems like the city employees kind of have to do everything for us, including the agenda; I don’t see that we’re much use anymore.”
Mayor Joyce Jay said if the city decides to disband the commission, she hopes they join other city boards or continue to lend their expertise in some capacity.
“My thought is they are really valuable volunteers, and they’ve supported the city for a long time,” Jay said. “They’ve done this because they’re passionate about animals, so let’s see how we can continue to nurture that.”
