The Animal Control Officer is a civilian employee specially trained to handle animal complaints. Duties and responsibilities of the ACO’s include investigating animal complaints, enforcing City Ordinances, and State Laws, picking up and impounding stray animals, educating the public, visiting the elementary school, patrolling the community, and providing assistance to police officers in animal related matters. The Animal Shelter is contracted to the Hamilton Animal Shelter.
Coyotes
In the state of Georgia, only a certified coyote trapping specialist can be used to round up and remove coyotes from an urban area. After a coyote is trapped, the animal must be euthanized. The City of West Point does not have a policy to remove coyotes. Coyotes have adapted to an urban lifestyle and are here to stay so co-existence with them is encouraged. For more information, check out this coyote information sheet compiled by the Stanley Park Ecology Society.
The Humane Society of the United States is another resource for learning to co-exist with coyotes. Check out the following materials it shared with the City.
If you encounter an aggressive animal of any kind, please call 9-1-1.
