Gratiot County commissioners place animal control under sheriff’s office after safety push

Gratiot County commissioners voted unanimously to shift the county animal control unit to the Gratiot County Sheriff’s Office, a move county officials said will expand training, access to law-enforcement information and officer safety tools.

The board approved the transfer after a presentation from Jamie Haas, director of animal control, and Sheriff Tom Clark. Sheriff Clark told commissioners he supports the move and that placing animal control “under the umbrella of the sheriff’s office” will give officers access to training, equipment and systems they currently lack.

The change was framed as a safety and operational upgrade. Animal control staff described repeated incidents involving aggressive animals and single-officer responses to potentially dangerous residences. Jamie Haas described a 2024 incident involving a large aggressive dog that “had broken multiple teeth” while staff restrained it and said the dog “could have caused grave damage” had officers not succeeded on the first attempt. The presenters said existing catch poles and shotguns do not fully address certain rapid-onset threats.

Sheriff Clark said the sheriff’s office already has policies, training modules and certified firearms instructors available and that animal control officers would gain access to LEIN (the law-enforcement information network) and other investigative tools if the unit moved under his department. Clark noted previous instability under multiple administrators and said the sheriff’s office offers continuity and standardized training protocols.

Several commissioners asked about limits and oversight. Prosecuting-county staff noted county personnel rules and policies that currently restrict weapons in county vehicles would need revision and that carriage would be tied to sheriff authorization and training. Presenters said officers presently hold or can obtain concealed-pistol licenses (CPLs), have begun defensive-tactics and CPR training, and that body-worn camera and vehicle camera plans are being reviewed.

The board approved the transfer in a voice/roll-call vote (moved by Tim; supported by Steve). Roll call recorded all present commissioners as voting yes. Commissioners and presenters said the director (Jamie Haas) will continue to run day-to-day operations while the sheriff’s office provides training, LEIN access and incident-level coordination.

County officials said formal authorization for sidearms was not a separate board ordinance in the meeting; presenters and the sheriff said that, practically, moving the unit under the sheriff’s office enables the sheriff to authorize certified animal control officers to carry sidearms under sheriff policies. The sheriff said existing sheriff-office policies on firearms, tasers and OC spray would apply, and that animal control officers would remain distinct from sworn deputies and would not be granted additional arrest powers beyond their animal-control authority.

Commissioners asked for follow-up on policy changes, liability, equipment ownership, body-camera coverage, and prosecutor review. Sheriff Clark and Director Haas said those items will be worked out as part of implementation and training schedules.

The board approved the motion to place animal control under the sheriff’s office; separate actions (policy changes to authorize county-issued firearms, body cameras, and written protocols) were discussed but not separately adopted at the meeting.