The Bertie County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up to handle animal control duties after county commissioners voted earlier this week to transfer the responsibility from the current contractor, officials told WITN. I read the report from the Greenville outlet, which confirmed the vote and the timeline.
The change means sheriff’s deputies will soon respond to calls about stray or nuisance wildlife , raccoons, skunks, snakes, and other animals that show up in yards or homes. Bertie County, in northeastern North Carolina, borders the Chowan River and has large rural areas where encounters with wild animals are common. The transition follows a pattern seen in several other North Carolina counties where law enforcement absorbs animal control after budget or contractor issues.
What this means for Bertie County homeowners
If a wild animal gets inside your house or into your yard, the sheriff’s office will now be the agency to call. For immediate guidance on handling that situation, I recommend reading the page about emergency wildlife in your home. It covers steps like securing pets, keeping distance, and contacting the right local authority.
The sheriff’s office will also handle removal and relocation of trapped animals. For residents who wonder what happens to a raccoon or other critter once it’s caught, the page on what animal control does with raccoons explains the typical process , from trapping to assessment to possible euthanasia if the animal shows signs of illness.
The transition is expected to take effect in the coming weeks. I could not find a precise start date in the WITN report, but the sheriff’s office confirmed it is preparing staff and equipment.
The notice is published by WITN at www.witn.com.
