EXCHANGE: Animal warden still has a soft spot after 35 years

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) - The job of an animal control warden isn't often glorified.

According to the job description, the officers' duties include investigating animal humane violations, animal bite incidents and removing and disposing of dead animals. They may also have to impound, and eventually euthanize, stray animals, all while resisting the urge to take them home.

After 35 years, Paulette Smith has learned how to handle herself around Fluffy, Fido and their families.

'œIt is stressful,'ť she said. 'œBut I love to take care of the animals. And I love the people I work with.'ť

Macon County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Matt Reynolds is the administrator for the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center. He has witnessed Smith's appreciation of her job. He admires her work as well.

'œShe is very knowledgeable about her job,'ť he said. 'œAnd she works very well with the public and knows many people.'ť

Smith, 58, has been employed with the animal shelter since 1984. 'œThat is quite a long time,'ť Reynolds said. 'œShe needed a little bit of recognition.'ť

Smith has learned how to handle more than the animals. The people she encounters along the way can be a challenge as well.

'œPeople think we are just wanting to take their dog,'ť she said. 'œMost of the time when we pick up dogs off the streets, we try to find the owners before we bring them to the shelter.'ť

If an information microchip has been found embedded in a lost animal, Smith will return the animal to its owner once the shelter employees retrieve the information.

Although the temptation to rescue an animal for herself is there, Smith has resisted and owns only one dog. However, before she became a mother to her son 29 years ago, she had less control.

'œI had about 10 animals,'ť she said. 'œMy landlord let me keep them in the backyard.'ť

In the past, Smith's jobs included employment as a kennel worker and a highway worker. Her current job as an animal warden is her favorite. 'œI love it here,'ť she said. 'œThe people I work with, I get on their nerves, but I still love them.'ť

As a secretary at the animal shelter, Audra Bricker greets visitors as they enter the facility. She often encounters Smith as she is going from one call to the next.

'œShe kids around a lot, but she doesn't have a mean bone in her body,'ť Bricker said. 'œHer bark is worse than her bite.'ť

The two have discussed some of the situations Smith has encountered. 'œShe can take a lot,'ť Bricker said. 'œSometimes they (people) can be a little confrontational. Paulette knows how to soothe them.'ť

Smith admits the work can be stressful, but she stays positive with a sense of humor and good attitude.

'œIt's pretty rough out there. You get cussed out and threatened,'ť she said. 'œYou just have to kill them with kindness, because I still have to do what I have to do.'ť

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Source: (Decatur) Herald & Review, https://bit.ly/2VZfVkT

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Information from: Herald & Review, http://www.herald-review.com