Kane begins process for hiring new animal control leader

The rebuilding of Kane County’s Animal Control department began Tuesday with interviews for six candidates looking to become the new department director. The eventual hiring will mark a significant step for a department that became embattled when its former director, Mary Lawrie, resigned after being suspended earlier this year.

Though never officially connected, the director’s suspension came as a local pet rescue sued the county with allegations involving the mishandling of a pet adoption. Those events led the county board’s Public Health Committee on a full examination of the department’s operations. After questioning a number of expenses involved with veterinary care contracts and secret raises, a task force decided the department director should be a licensed veterinarian for the first time.

With six applicants for a combined veterinarian/administrator role, the county has already significantly expanded the applicant pool from 2007 when Lawrie was hired after being the only applicant.

Committee members interviewed applicants during a closed-door meeting that lasted several hours Tuesday morning. Members said five of the six candidates applied early on in the application period. The sixth applicant just recently expressed an interest. The salary for the position ranges from $80,000 to $105,000 based on qualifications.

The committee has not yet announced a timetable for hiring the new director.