Alex Walker: Police jury’s first animal control officer

The Lincoln Parish Police Jury is still new when it comes to directly providing animal control services for all the unincorporated areas of the parish, having just taken over those duties from the sheriff’s office this spring.

But the jury’s first animal control officer, Alex Walker, is far from inexperienced.

A longtime farmer and forestry graduate from Louisiana Tech University with a focus on wildlife habitat management, not to mention a long and growing list of animal control certifications, Walker is no stranger to caring for and dealing with the local fauna, from dogs and cats to deer, hogs and even beavers.

“We were looking for somebody who had some experience,” Parish Administrator Courtney Hall said. “And a good rapport with the public. Of all the candidates we interviewed, Alex checked every box. I was pleasantly surprised that there was somebody like him out there.”

Good thing, too, because demand is high.

For many years, the sheriff’s office supplied a deputy to perform animal control services, but per state law, the ultimate responsibility for making sure the parish is covered lies with the jury.

In April the jury voted to create an animal control officer position, and Sheriff Stephen Williams agreed to donate the equipment his officer had used to get the parish started.

In less than six months since coming on board, Walker has picked up 107 dogs and 62 cats for a total of 169.

“I average at least 10 calls a day, at the bare minimum,” he said.

Walker took 77 of those dogs and 57 of the cats to the Ruston Animal Shelter and was able to return the other 30 dogs and five cats to their owners.

The jury’s animal control services do not extend into the city limits of Ruston or any other municipality in the parish. But the jury has a contract with Ruston to allow the animals Walker picks up to be housed at its shelter, and the majority are eventually adopted.

“Their adoption rate is very high,” Walker said. “I haven’t ever had a problem with them having space.”

Parish residents outside of municipal limits who need animal control can call the police jury office, on the third floor of the parish courthouse, at 318-513-6200.

The parish will take owner-surrendered animals for a $125 fee to cover its costs.

Those who’ve had a run-in with an aggressive dog should call the sheriff’s office at 318-251-5111. Walker coordinates with them on such cases.

Those who’ve been bitten by a dog or any other animal should seek medical attention immediately.

While dogs and cats are the biggest part of Walker’s job, they’re far from all of it.

“Every day is completely different,” he said. “ You never know what you’re going to get.”

From removing raccoons from local businesses to getting wild hogs off the roadways, if the job serves a public purpose (i.e. not deep into someone’s private property), Walker can do it, and he probably already has.

“I may be planning to pick up some dogs today, but if there’s a cow on 167, going down a major highway, that could kill somebody,” he said. “So that changes my plans.”

A former Louisiana State Star Farmer with a national championship in vegetable production through the Future Farmers of America under his belt, Walker has grown and sold produce at the Ruston Farmers Market for years.

A lifelong Jackson and Lincoln Parish resident, between the connections he’s made through the farmers market and the Tech forestry program, Walker hopes to be a friendly face in the community to help navigate through animal control situations that can sometimes be difficult.

He’s also continuing to gain new trainings and certifications, such as working toward becoming a certified animal cruelty investigator, one of just a handful in Louisiana.

Outside of animal control altogether, Walker also serves as a code enforcement officer, ensuring loggers have the proper permits, checking up on dumpster sites, etc. Officials say it’s a good union of duties because both jobs involve patrolling the streets of the parish.

“We’re looking tor someone who can adapt,” Parish Treasurer Michael Sutton said. “ Not just adapt to the situations he faces in animal control, but adapt if this position evolves and grows.”

The jury’s animal control program is still in its infancy. Spay and neuter programs, public education, a ticketing and fee structure, a potential separate shelter facility — all nebulous possibilities that have yet to take shape.

But this administration believes it’s taken the best first step by bringing Walker aboard and getting an officer on the streets.