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Animal control staffing shortages continue; commission hears neighborhood complaint about dog use at Council Oak stickball park
Summary
Commissioners were told two animal control officer positions remain open and that the department conducts targeted sweeps when staffing allows; a resident flagged recurring off‑leash dog use at Council Oak stickball park and staff asked for address details to investigate.
Tulsa Animal Services reported staffing gaps and field priorities to the commission on July 14, noting two open animal control officer (ACO) vacancies and a reliance on temporary kennel workers to maintain operations.
Director Sherry Carrier said the department still has “2 ACO slots that are open” and that filling those positions is difficult. Carrier said kennel duties have been supplemented with temporary workers and that one employee is working out of class to cover an absent staffer. She praised the existing ACOs for their work and asked commissioners to encourage qualified applicants to apply via the City of Tulsa website.
On public comment, a neighborhood concern was raised about Council Oak stickball park being used as an informal dog park. A commissioner relayed a complaint from neighbors and asked staff to investigate; Resident Erica Grayson (who identified herself in the meeting) said she would reach out to provide an address so staff could look into enforcement or signage. Carrier said the department conducts sweeps when staffing permits (noting they do some sweeps when the full team is available on Wednesdays).
Carrier emphasized the department’s preference for remedies and resources over fines when possible, saying staff want to provide support — for example through microchips, food or low‑cost spay/neuter services — so residents can keep their pets rather than immediately resorting to citations.
Background: Item 6 on the agenda covered staffing; public comment regarding park use was handled at the end of the meeting under new business/public comment.
