MOUNT MORRIS, N.Y., Nov. 24, 2025 — On Jan. 1, 2026, the County’s Dog Control Department will be moving under the jurisdiction of the Livingston County Sheriff's Office.
This transition marks a natural progression for the organization, as County officials originally intended Dog Control to be under the Health Department's oversight only temporarily. Livingston County’s Department of Health is the only county health department in New York state that oversees and operates a dog control facility. County officials say they are confident the move will enhance services, providing a more comprehensive and efficient response to animal-related concerns.
“The Sheriff's Office has an excellent reputation promoting public safety and the humane treatment of animals in our community,” said Public Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez. “Sheriff’s Office personnel assigned to Dog Control will receive animal shelter specific training provided and approved by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets before taking over day-to-day operations. The Health Department is also working closely with the Sheriff’s Office to provide appropriate training and ensure a smooth transition. We want the public to know that the mission of Dog Control - supporting animal welfare through enforcement, care, and responsible rehoming of dogs - will remain unchanged. The health and welfare of animals in the County’s care will remain our top priority.”
Rodriguez cited Dog Control staffing concerns as a driver for the change. The Sheriff’s Office is equipped to provide increased coverage, more staff, faster response times, and around-the-clock support for the area’s canines. Sheriff's Office members assigned to the Dog Control Facility have been and will continue to be trained in animal abuse investigations, care and operation of a dog control facility, as well as animal behavior rehabilitation, said Livingston County Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty.
“The Sheriff's Office is excited to oversee the Dog Control facility and operations,” he said. “We have long been an integral part of handling animal complaints in partnership with the Department of Health. This transition will only make the operations of Dog Control more accessible to the community and a one stop shop for animal issues, all while continuing the excellent care and adoption of dogs in Livingston County. I can assure you the long-standing practices of excellent care by Dog Control staff for dogs at the facility will continue, as well as the status as a no kill shelter.”
Key aspects of the transition:
- Increased coverage and faster response times.
- Extended public hours: Dog Control will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., one hour longer than the current 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule.
- The facility will now be a one-stop shop for animal cruelty, dangerous dogs, and ordinance enforcement.
- There will be NO increase in euthanasia rates.
- The change will cause no decreases in animal care, rehoming, or rehabilitation.
- There is a seamless training and acclimation process underway with Sheriff's Office staff.
- Vaccination clinics and spay/neuter programs will still occur and be held under the Department of Health.
The purpose of a Dog Control facility in New York State is to ensure proper enforcement of state and local laws regarding animals, including provisions of the Agriculture and Markets Law and local town and village ordinances. Staff regularly handle complaints involving lost or abandoned animals, licensing and vaccination compliance, and nuisance or dangerous dog cases. The Sheriff's Office has long been part of assisting in these efforts, as well as the more difficult cases involving animal cruelty.
This transition represents a significant enhancement to the services already being provided, including increased efficiency due to better coverage (response time and hours of availability) and a more comprehensive response (ability to address both civil and criminal violations). The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office fully intends to continue providing a clean and safe environment for all impounded animals and will ensure they are properly cared for while at the facility. Efforts will continue to reunite lost pets with their owners, and when appropriate, find new homes for unwanted or unclaimed animals.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.