New Animal Control Officer Already Making a Difference: Two Rescues This Week

Darren Doyle, story and photo
When Edmonson County Animal Control Officer Eric Roscoe was hired by the EC Sheriff's Office, he said he was excited and ready to begin his duties immediately.  According to his actions, he meant exactly what he said. 

Over the past couple weeks, Officer Roscoe has been taking volunteer training in order to better understand the new position and to do a job that not just picks up animals, but helps them, while helping and educating animal owners. 

His first call came this week on what appeared to be a lost or abandoned beagle mix. The dog was safely taken to the Bowling Green/Warren County Animal Shelter where he is doing just fine. The dog was collared and micro-chipped, and the shelter is working to locate the owner.

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Beagle mix that was collared, neutered, and micro-chipped. (ECSO AC)

Lab/Collie mix found tied to a tree and abandoned. He is doing fine now. (ECSO AC)

The second call came yesterday and was much more serious. Officer Roscoe said some kids found a lab/collie mix that someone had tied to a tree in the woods then abandoned it. He was able to respond almost immediately to ensure proper care for the dog.

"His lips were blue where he'd pulled on the tether to get loose," he said. "Luckily, after some water and giving him some treats, he calmed down. He was ready to go home with me."

The dog is also currently in the care of the BG/WC Animal Shelter where he is reportedly doing well.

Roscoe said he wants to concentrate on educating animal owners in Edmonson County on the current laws and ordinances already on the books. "What we're seeing is that it's far more of an education issue than an animal issue here," he said. "Animal owners have responsibilities. They have rules and regulations to follow if they're going to keep a pet. We just want to help people understand those things and see that animals are properly taken care of."

He said that he and the Sheriff's Office are working hard to utilize the available resources so that people follow the law and that animals are properly cared for, maintained, and placed in good homes. 

"The Bowling Green/Warren County Animal Shelter has been absolutely great. There are some good folks in Leitchfield, too. We all want to work together."
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He said working with the Sheriff's Office has been a very positive experience so far.

"These guys are always looking to help me and to help each other," he said, smiling. "We're all working hard to see that this works, and these guys are on it."