Alexandria, VA – The search is over! There’s a new Chief Animal Control Officer in town. The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved hiring Kevin D. Hearst, Sr., at their meeting on Sept. 18. Hearst is responsible for the management of services at the City’s Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, meeting the needs of city residents, and working with the City Attorney and law enforcement on animal-related cases.
“I greatly appreciate your support, we plan to serve our City of Alexandria with integrity and professionalism,” Hearst wrote on Facebook.
The board of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria conducted a national search to fill the position. The League operates the shelter under contract for the city.
Hearst will have to manage the Animal Control Division, which also includes the supervision of Animal Control officers on a daily basis. His credits include more than 25 years of animal control experience from serving in the police department in DeKalb County, Georgia, in positions including shelter operations assistant, dangerous animal officer, chief cruelty investigator, and as an animal control field supervisor.
Hearst is certified in advanced equine investigation, dog and cock fighting investigation, and animal cruelty investigation from the Human Society University; veterinary forensic and animal crime scene investigation from the University of Florida; and Euthanasia training from the National Animal Control Academy.
All of the certifications in the world won’t discount his unprofessional approach, questionable ethics and abusive nature. Good luck with that.
I hope the author will comment on all the allegations made against this person in Dekalb County and the investigation that was not concluded. Please do your research.