Reno, Nevada. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is seeing a smooth transition as it assumes management of the County’s Regional Animal Services and Sheriff Michael Haley says he is confident residents will benefit from increased collaboration and coordination of duties between Animal Control Officers and law enforcement.

“The Animal Services team comes to the Sheriff’s Office with a strong reputation as a skilled and dedicated public service agency,” Sheriff Haley said. “Our goal is to continue to provide the high levels of service that are so important to our community.”

The County Board of Commissioners approved moving Regional Animal Services to the Sheriff’s Office as an opportunity to align Washoe County with an emerging national trend to merge Animal Services with public safety agencies.

The Sheriff’s Office appointed former Washoe County Court Security Supervisor Barry Brode as the new Regional Animal Services Manager, replacing the previous manager who retired in December.

“I am confident that Barry’s experience and background will greatly benefit Regional Animal Services and the residents we serve,” Sheriff Haley said.

Brode said that the greatest asset to his new assignment are the employees.

“We are fortunate to have such a dedicated staff with the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to helping animals in our community as well as the many people who have shown such great concern for those animals over the years,” Brode said. “The welfare and protection of these animals are most important.”

Brode said that under the Sheriff’s Office, Animal Services staff will also have increased opportunities for training and will benefit from being associated with a nationally recognized leader in the public safety profession.