'To save a dog.' How Wilson County animal control is changing as new director starts

A dog was biting a bicyclist.

Three feral dogs may have been dumped.

There were complaints about dogs running at large and tips about possible animal cruelty or neglect cases.

It was a recent Wednesday and a pretty typical day for new Wilson County Animal Control Director Steve Gatlin, who knew the position would involve some difficult things to see for a self-described dog lover.

But, “this is the best part of it,” Gatlin said of the job as he and his staff helped Bill and Cindy Torrence, of Mt. Juliet, adopt a female mixed-breed believed to be around 5 years old the couple planned to name Abby.

“We figured someone needed a home,” Bill Torrence said of Abby.

Gatlin talked about another adoption, this one involving a pit bull, from Wilson County Animal Control during his second day on the job in January. It convinced him he made made the right decision when he took the position, he said.

“The best way to save a dog is to get it adopted,” Gatlin said. “It's an awesome feeling."

How Gatlin got the job

The position opened because Mary Burger Scruggs retired after 13 years as director.

Gatlin, 54, transferred to animal control after 18 years with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office. His tenure included time spent working with animal control and being involved in the prosecution of animal cruelty and neglect cases.

Gatlin had also logged six years with the Lebanon Police Department, and some time with Watertown's police department.

The animal control director's job initially had 33 applications that were later narrowed down to eight interviews before Gatlin was hired, Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto said.

What you should know about Wilson County Animal Control

“We are here to deal with domestic animals running at large,” Gatlin said, cutting to the heart of the job.

Rabies enforcement is also a big deal. Tennessee has very few rabies cases per year that relate to domestic animals, which Gatlin said correlates to enforcement, especially when they get complaints about dogs running at large.

The department also investigates cruelty and neglect complaints and tries to educate people before writing citations.

It is legal to tie a dog outside, but the animal must have adequate shelter and access to food and water. The animal must be accommodated in cold weather during the winter and hot weather during the summer, which the department checks on.

Animal Control can house about 12-25 dogs, depending on sizes. Gatlin wants to step up efforts to adopt out dogs that can be housed, and his efforts will include periodic adoption events as well as a newly launched Wilson County Animal Control Facebook page.

Cats are not kept at the Wilson County Animal Control facility unless a cat is injured or must be quarantined for rabies, Gatlin said.

Wilson County Animal Control works the Mt. Juliet and Lebanon animal control facilities and with private rescue groups, such as New Leash on Life and Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary.

You can also donate to help animals, something country music artist Gretchen Wilson has done for several years, according to Gatlin. A fund that helps with medical costs and other expenses associated with animal care is named for Wilson, Gatlin said.

How is animal control changing with Wilson County’s growth?

As Wilson County's population grows, there are more cases of people who are irresponsible with their dogs, whether it be barking dogs or owners who let the animals run free, Gatlin said.

State law does prohibit dogs running at large. Rabies vaccination and registration are also required.

Neighbors talking with each other about issues can often help solve barking noise or dogs running at large, Gatlin said.

What animal control doesn’t do

Animal roadkill on a county roads is picked up by the Wilson County Road Commission and roadkill on a state roads is the responsibility of the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Wilson County Animal Control will work with the sheriff’s office on reports of injured animals in the roads, Gatlin said.

Animal Control and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency do not remove or dispose of dead animals from a homeowner's yard, but they can make recommendations. The TWRA does regulate permits for animal damage control operators, who can provide additional services. More information is available at www.tn.gov/twra/law-enforcement/wildlife-damage-control.html.

If a landowner has a sick animal, such as a deer or bird, on their property, they can report it to the TWRA to help biologists track animal health and diseases in Tennessee, TWRA spokesperson Emily Buck said.

About Wilson County Animal Control

Address: 378 Dump Road, Lebanon

Phone: 615-444-9775

Facility hours: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

Gretchen Wilson Fund: To donate, send checks payable to Wilson County Animal Control, P.O. Box 584, Lebanon, TN 37088 with Gretchen Wilson Fund in the memo line. An Amazon wish list and a link on Wilson County Animal Control Facebook page are planned.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: New Director Steve Gatlin on the state of Wilson County Animal Control