County's New Animal Services Board Holds First Meeting

Twelve members of DeKalb County's new Animal Services Advisory Board have been named, and the new organization has already held its first meeting.

The purpose of the Animal Services Advisory Board is to assist the DeKalb Animal Services and Enforcement (DASE) Office continue the improvements in the treatment of animals in the county's care, help raise funds, and advise and monitor the implementation of long range plans.

"We have made significant progress in our animal services operations, and this is another step in the right direction," county CEO Burrell Ellis said in a statement. "With the help of the Animal Services Advisory Board, we will build one of the strongest comprehensive animal services programs in the nation."

The board's membership includes Robert Dennis, Ashley Derek, Rebecca Guinn, Cynthia Houston, Susie Jensen, Dr. William Mangham, Susan Neugent, Sonali Saindane, Yvonne Samuels, Leesia Teh, Catharine Tipton, and Captain Torrence D. Williams. County Public Safety Director William Miller and Acting Director of DASE Tim Medlin are also serving in an ex-officio capacity. Three additional board members will be appointed at a later date.

Miller began the initial meeting with an overview of activities completed in the last year and activities of the Animal Services Task Force, followed by a review of the Comprehensive Improvement Plan, installation of an HVAC system for the kennel area and the general purpose of the Advisory Board.