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Council hears calls for expanded animal-control services; staff and county outline limits
Summary
Residents and the county urged action on animal-control staffing and sheltering; staff said a budgeted animal-control position exists but training, facilities and regional coordination remain unresolved.
Residents and local animal rescuers pressed Sunnyside City Council on May 5 for stronger animal-control enforcement and sheltering options, and county and city staff described the logistical and funding obstacles to a city-run shelter and full-time animal-control operations.
Ruby Medina, who volunteers with rescue groups, told the council she has been collecting stray and injured animals and arranging vet care and adoptions through local rescues and the Benton-Franklin humane network. “I just picked up a Maltese mix and took it to the vet…these dogs have a lot of issues,” she said, urging the city to ensure consistent animal-control response and better enforcement of existing ordinances.
Why it matters: City staff and the county said the animal-control gap affects public safety and animal welfare. The city manager said an animal-control officer (ACO) position was budgeted for 2025, but training and the department assignment were not finalized; code-enforcement staff have not received the planned animal-control training. The city manager told council the prior pattern—where the local humane society accepted most stray animals—ended when the humane society reduced pickups, leaving cities across the valley competing for a small pool of trained ACOs.
County and nonprofit options: County commissioner LaDon Lindy explained Yakima County is inventorying city needs and exploring collaborative options; he said past short-term grants (for example, a two-year grant from an animal-welfare group) temporarily covered an ACO position but were not renewable. Ruby Medina and staff also identified the Benton-Franklin Humane Society as a potential partner that has shelter capacity and rescue networks willing to take animals under contract.
Law and enforcement: Staff noted Sunnyside’s municipal code contains animal-related civil infractions and licensing requirements. The city manager and police chief said limited-commission authority (a restricted commission tied to specific SMC sections) can be issued to people to allow ticketing for animal-code violations, but the city must define which sections an officer would be empowered to enforce and then process that through legal.
Next steps: City staff said they will pursue training and the logistics of filling the budgeted ACO position, meet with local rescues and Benton-Franklin Humane Society, and coordinate with Yakima County on possible shared solutions. Council members asked staff to bring a clearer plan and cost estimate, and some members urged immediate, stronger enforcement of existing SMC provisions while the longer-term plan is developed.
Ending: No formal action was taken; council directed staff to return with implementation details, training status and options for sheltering or contracting with regional partners.
