By Alex Bridges -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Animals haven't taken over the valley just yet.

But law enforcement agencies continue to receive and respond to a growing number of complaints about animals that require officers with special skills to handle.

Frederick County Sheriff Robert "Bob" Williamson recently told members of the Board of Supervisors finance committee that he likely needs to hire three more animal control officers to handle the number of calls his agency receives.

Williamson's department currently has four officers taking on animal control. The Sheriff's Office received about 4,700 animal-related calls from July 1, 2007, to late April, he said.

"That's quite a caseload for four people to have to handle," Williamson said.

The sheriff added that scheduling issues create even more challenges, recalling a time when one animal control officer went to the hospital for an illness while another officer attended training. A third was off that day and left the agency without an animal control officer, Williamson said.

"When that happens, I end up having to assign deputies to cover animal control who aren't appropriately trained in animal control and don't have the necessary equipment in which to deal with dogs, cats or other animals," Williamson said.

The sheriff cites the county's growth as a factor in the increasing number of animal complaints.

More animal control officers would allow the county to better check for licenses and see if people abide by rules on how many dogs one can have before a kennel permit is required, Williamson said.

Frederick County's officers mainly handle calls regarding domesticated animals, but also respond to issues with livestock, such as checking on the welfare of cattle and horses. These cases can become time consuming, as the officers serve not only as the deputy on scene but also as the investigator.

"You have to prove that they're being neglected, that they're not being appropriately cared for, or that any medical attention hasn't happened," Williamson said.

Frederick County animal control officers also respond to all related calls in Stephens City and Middletown, even though they both have their own police departments.

The Sheriff's Office tries to keep animal control officers on duty from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Williamson said. More deputies could allow him to extend the hours of service. But he said he still does not see the need for enforcement 24 hours a day.

Animal control officers face dangers in their work, like potential bites and exposure to disease. They also often run into pet or livestock owners who become protective of their animals or defensive of their ability to take care of them, Williamson said.

"The philosophy in Frederick County is: You can beat my wife, you can kick my kids but don't mess with my dog," he said, noting that he, too, is an animal lover. "So I understand the philosophy and I think there's a need for the services of animal control."

Clarke County Sheriff Anthony "Tony" Roper says his locality also needs to commit more resources for animal control. Clarke is the only locality in the valley without such officers. Roper recently approached the county's Board of Supervisors to express the need for a sworn officer, trained not only in law enforcement but also in animal control.

Calls for animal-related complaints usually fall under the Clarke County general government, Roper said. However, he noted that those people don't have policing powers, cannot make arrests and, in some cases, may find themselves in a situation where those skills are needed.

Warren and Shenandoah counties have had animal control officers for years.

"I know we've seen an increase in calls," said Shenandoah Sheriff Timothy C. Carter. "It's been fairly steady over the course of the last five years."

But Carter noted the two officers he has have a lot off territory to cover.

"That's one thing that calls aren't lacking in for sure is animal control issues and problems in the county," Warren County Sheriff Daniel T. McEathron said. "I'm sure, within the next year, next couple years, we're going to need to be increasing that by one."

Data showed the county's four animal control officers responded to more than 2,000 calls for complaints, warnings or summonses in both Warren and Front Royal since Jan. 1.

McEathron noted that officers know what they face going in.

"Coming with that line of work, sometimes you get bit and sometimes you're quick enough not to get bit."

* Contact Alex Bridges at abridges@nvdaily.com