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News covering policy and issues related to city and county governments in the Ozarks.

Animal Control Services Restored in Parts of Greene County

Springfield-Greene County Health Department

Due to budget constraints, in 2012 Greene County changed the area to which it responded to nuisance animal calls.  But after citizens approved a ½ of one percent sales tax in November 2017, animal control services were restored Sunday to the unincorporated urban service areas of the county.

According to county officials, around $200,000 a year will be used to fund one full-time and one part-time animal control officer and equipment. 

An urban animal control boundary has been re-established that generally includes the populated areas around Springfield city limits.  Animal control officers will respond to calls within that area, but outside of it they’ll only respond to dog bite incidents.

Dog bites and other dangerous situations will be prioritized when receiving calls for service, according to the county, and wait times for stray or lost dogs may be lengthy, especially in the warm months, which tend to be busy. 

For help with an unsafe situation citizens should call 911. For other issues, such as missing animals or stray animal complaints, contact Animal Control at 417-833-3592.

Animal Control Services are under the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.