Daytontx

Animal Control Officer

Dayton, TexasFull TimePosted Jul 12, 2026

Job Summary:

The Animal Control Officer is responsible for enforcing all animal and rabies activities within the City

of Dayton.  This position is authorized to drive city vehicles and is considered a safety-sensitive position.


Specific Duties:

  • Writes citations for leash law violations
  • Patrols the city for stray animals
  • Captures animals by the use of trap, snare, catchpole, or any other 

          departmental authorized equipment

  • Investigates complaints about improperly treated animals
  • Investigates animals roaming at large whether dispatched or observed
  • Investigates dog bite reports
  • Responds to calls for service related to animals as directed by the dispatcher or supervisors
  • Documents activities with required reports
  • Attends training as required
  • Collects fines and fees related to animal control activities
  • Feeds, waters, and maintains captured animals
  • Cleans and sanitizes the animal shelter
  • Assists in the euthanasia process for unwanted animals
  • Returns animals to proper owners
  • Adopts animals to new owners, when possible
  • Disposes of deceased animals in a legal manner authorized by the department
  • Sets and retrieves traps for citizens who report problems
  • Assists with the capture of loose livestock when required
  • Performs other related duties as required


Essential Functions:

  • Ability to  effectively communicate in oral and written communications in English 
  • Ability to operate commercial telephones and a two-way radio
  • Ability to lift, carry, drag, push or pull up to 50 pounds
  • Ability to drive, walk and run
  • Ability to respond to work with minimal notice for emergencies
  • Ability to work with friendly, unfriendly, tame, and wild animals
  • Ability to perform duties in all types of weather and lighting conditions
  • Ability to operate a police radio, spotlight, cage doors, and gates, rifle, and vehicle
  • Ability to work with various chemicals involved in cleaning and sanitizing


Required Education, Degrees, Certificates, and/or Licenses:

  • Minimum 21 years of age
  • High school diploma for GED
  • Texas Department of Health Animal Control Certification, or
  • Obtain Texas Department of Health Animal Control Certification within one year of employment or, if schools are unavailable, the next available school exceeding one year 

       of employment

  • Valid Texas Driver’s License


Acceptable Experience and Training:

  • Prior experience working with animals preferred

Note:

This job description is intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.  Duties, responsibilities and actions may change at any time without prior notice.  











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