PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Department has appointed an Animal Control Deputy, filling the position that has been empty since the end of 2024.
Effective May 1, Corrections Deputy Ed Bauck will transition to leading the enforcement of county ordinances and state laws governing animal care and control, according to a press release.
The position became vacant when Animal Control Deputy Tracey Kellas retired at the end of last year. Due to that retirement and the 2024 closure of the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society Bark House, Sheriff Brian King said that “animal control has been a significant community challenge.”
Animal control calls are among the most frequent in the county, with over 1,000 calls for service in 2024, according to a press release. This included 209 calls for stray animals, 208 calls for general animal complaints, 135 animal noise calls, 86 calls for injured animals, 75 calls for vicious animals, 69 calls for animal abuse, 62 calls for found animals, 58 calls for dead animals, 50 lost animal calls and 46 calls for animal bites.
Although every Sheriff’s Deputy can address calls for service involving animals, having a dedicated deputy will relieve the burden on patrol deputies and allow for a more focused and effective response to animal-related issues, Chief Corrections Deputy Don Wenzl said.
King appointed Bauck for his “qualifications, dedication and proven commitment to both public service and animal welfare,” the press release stated.
“His leadership in this new role will help us deliver the responsive animal control services our community deserves,” King said in the press release.
Bauck joined the CCSO in 2023, following a career with the Idaho Department of Corrections. Since then, he has completed the Animal Control Officer Academy, served on the Animal Solutions Advisory Committee and assisted in an animal neglect case in Grays Harbor County.
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Reporter Emma Maple can be reached by email at emma.maple@peninsuladailynews.com.
