For Immediate Release
Jay Schneiderman
Supervisor
Ryan Murphy
Town Code Compliance & Emergency Management Administrator
Press Release
Contact: Ryan Murphy
631.702.1700
Town of Southampton, NY October 8, 2021 —The Town of Southampton Department of Public Safety’s Animal Control Division responds to issues, complaints and emergencies involving animals throughout the Town of Southampton and some of the incorporated villages. The Division also oversees some commercial animal business operating permits and conducts inspections at events where animals are present as part of the approved event activities. Animal Control is made up of one part-time and three full-time Animal Control Officers. The staff is unique from most other Town departments in that there is someone on seven days a week.
In the process of responding to animal emergencies and dangerous animal situations, Animal Control Officers must exercise a variety of skills and techniques to ensure the safety of people in the area, as well as the safety of the animal(s) involved in the situation. In an effort to enhance their skills and capabilities, the Southampton Town Animal Control Officers recently partnered with Lia Savas of Indian Head Ranch in Central Islip to learn some new roping skills. Ms. Savas donated generously of her time and knowledge to come to the new Public Safety facility in Hampton Bays to instruct the Town’s Animal Control Officers in proper and safe roping techniques that can be utilized on everything from dogs to livestock if necessary.
“In the wake of the months long Barney the Bull adventures, adding this skill to the repertoire of our Animal Control Officers seemed like an excellent opportunity to take advantage of when the offer presented itself,” said Code Compliance and Emergency Management Administrator Ryan Murphy. The Town plans to incorporate the Animal Control staff into more of its emergency response plans and desires to have increased presence of Animal Control officers at community outreach and educational events.
“The Town recently hired some new Animal Control Officers and promoted Catherine Antos to Animal Control Officer II. We are very pleased with the skill sets that the new staff members bring to the table and we are happy to support the continued growth of our Animal Control Officers with the Town of Southampton,” said Supervisor Jay Schneiderman.