WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) - It’s day one for Wausau’s newest officer, and it’s not the same old beat. Ashlee Bishop began her work this morning as Wausau’s Humane Officer & Animal Control Officer. Bishop is part of the police department, but will be serving in a slightly different way since she is Wausau’s first employee specifically assigned to animal control.
Bishop will be working both in and out of the city of Wausau, as the new Regional Animal Control program serves Wausau, Weston, and nearly a dozen other surrounding villages and townships.
The first few days will involve training activities. As the need goes up, Community officers will assist Bishop part time. The animal control program is authorized for 2.2 full time positions as contracts are signed and other municipalities join the effort.
The Regional Animal Control staff is expected to respond to an estimated 1,475 animal complaint calls per year in at least ten different communities.
The new Animal Control program has received two significant donations to help offset program costs. It has received $5,000 from the Walter Alexander Foundation and $10,000 from the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.