Starting January 1, 2026, Livingston County’s Dog Control operations will officially move under the direction of the Sheriff’s Office — a shift aimed at improving service, staffing, and animal welfare.
The department has been housed under the County Health Department for years, but officials say that was always meant to be temporary. This change will bring Livingston County in line with the rest of New York, where dog control is typically handled by law enforcement or municipal departments.
“The Sheriff’s Office has an excellent reputation promoting public safety and the humane treatment of animals,” said Public Health Director Jennifer Rodriguez. “This transition ensures a smoother, stronger response to animal-related concerns without changing our core mission.”
What’s changing — and what’s not
Sheriff’s deputies assigned to dog control will receive state-approved training before taking over operations. According to Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty, the office is already experienced in handling animal abuse complaints and will provide faster response times, expanded hours, and more staff.
“This will make Dog Control more accessible to the community and a one-stop shop for animal issues,” Dougherty said. “We’ll continue the excellent care and adoption of dogs in Livingston County — and we’ll remain a no-kill shelter.”
Key upgrades include:
- Faster response times and more staff coverage
- New hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (extended from the current 9 a.m. start)
- A central location for dealing with cruelty, dangerous dog cases, and ordinance enforcement
- Continued spay/neuter programs and vaccination clinics
- No increase in euthanasia or drop in care and rehoming services
The Sheriff’s Office says it will continue working to reunite lost pets with their owners and find new homes for animals that go unclaimed. The Health Department will still assist with vaccinations and wellness programming.
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