Ever wonder who takes care of the pooch in the passenger seat when a driver is apprehended by police? Or who responds to late-night stray-animal calls?
In Newbury, it has been animal control officer Carol Larocque, who has recently taken over the responsibilities in Newburyport, as well.
Municipal officials in Newburyport and Newbury have signed an agreement to share the services and salaries of Larocque and two part-time aides.
Larocque might welcome a little backup.
She has been doing the job in Newbury for close to 16 years, handling any late-night animal call in the community.
"In Newbury, calls can come in for stray horses and cows (as well as domestic animals)," said Larocque, whose personal collection of animals at her Newbury home includes dogs, goats, horses and chickens.
Larocque said she believes her work in Newburyport will involve more supervision of dogs and the city's leash laws.
"In my experience, there have been a lot of calls from police ready to impound cars of people who have been arrested," she said. "They can't leave the dog in the car when it's towed off."
Larocque has spent close to three decades as an animal control officer, including a stint in Newburyport.
Mayor Donna Holaday said Newburyport has experienced an increased demand for animal control services and staff, but has been unable to find an affordable solution internally.
Under the new arrangement, Larocque will serve as an animal control supervisor for the two communities. She will also continue to serve as animal control officer in Newbury.
Newburyport has added one part-time position, which allows it to have coverage from Larocque and two 19-hours-per-week, non-benefited positions.
City officials say that the two part-time positions in Newburyport will not exceed the fiscal 2012 appropriation for the one former position.
Newburyport will pay $34,813 per year for the new arrangement, and Newbury will contribute $22,984 for what are essentially three part-time positions.
All fees from impounded dogs that are taken in by either community will be paid to the city of Newburyport. The city anticipates a $3,000 to $5,000 increase in revenue as a result of this agreement, municipal officials say.
"This agreement represents a perfect example of how two communities can work together to improve service delivery," Holaday said in a statement.
Larocque's team will report to Robert T. Bracey, Newburyport's director of public health, and Newbury police Chief Michael Reilly.
Bracey said "the animal control officers would be responsible for providing education and enforcement on animal health laws."
That would include Newburyport city ordinances relating to the leash law and disposal of animal waste and the monitoring of new "off-leash parks," where dogs can run free at proscribed hours.
The animal control officers will also be in charge of the vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies.
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