By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Animal Control and the sheriff’s fleet updates dominated last night’s Sheriff, Jail and License Committee of the Livingston County Board.

With Animal Control coming under the responsibilities of the sheriff’s department, Sheriff Tony Childress said the entire program has done an about face since May 1 of last year.

“I think it also has a much greater image about it, because now people see a Livingston County Sheriff’s uniformed deputy responding to the animal control calls and complaints,” Childress said. “No call goes unanswered.”

The county was also able to obtain 12 new vehicles for the department’s fleet, with plans to replace its fleet of between 35 and 40 vehicles annually. Childress said maintenance was in excess of $200,000 a year for the older cars, and purchasing the new ones will prove to give bigger savings to the county in the long run. The county was also given a grant for an animal control package from an anonymous donor.

“In that package was included a brand-new 2015 Tahoe that also included a brand new dog, the training for the dog, the training for the handler and the accommodations for that handler during training,” Childress said.

Childress was a guest on Community Forum with Todd Wineburner this morning.