Kansas City is set to bring its animal control services back under city management, ending its contract with the Kansas City Pet Project (KC Pet Project) amid rising concerns over response times and public safety. This decision follows years of complaints regarding the effectiveness of KC Pet Project’s animal control operations, particularly in handling dangerous animal situations. City officials have expressed the need for a more responsive and efficient system to address community concerns about loose and potentially dangerous animals throughout Kansas City.
The move comes after a city review committee rejected KC Pet Project’s proposal to renew its contract for animal control services. The proposal will now be presented to the City Council, which holds the ultimate authority in deciding the future of animal control in Kansas City. City Manager Brian Platt voiced concerns about KC Pet Project’s responsiveness to calls involving dangerous animals as a primary driver for this change.
“We are receiving numerous complaints across Kansas City neighborhoods concerning loose animals, the timeliness of responses, and the overall quality of service,” Platt stated to KCUR. He further explained that after careful evaluation of KC Pet Project’s contract renewal proposal, the city concluded that transitioning animal control back to city management was the most effective approach to “ensure the safety of everyone.” However, KC Pet Project will continue to operate its highly regarded animal shelter near Swope Park, which has garnered praise since its establishment in 2012.
The news has taken KC Pet Project by surprise, as their existing contract with the city is valid until April 2025. Tori Fugate, Chief Communications Officer for KC Pet Project, issued a statement expressing concern about the potential disruption this transition could cause. “Transitioning such a critical operation will undoubtedly lead to significant disruptions in the quality of care and the responsiveness that Kansas City residents have come to expect,” Fugate stated. “Furthermore, this shift will impose a considerable financial burden on taxpayers, creating unnecessary expenses for the city to rebuild infrastructure, recruit and retrain personnel, and re-establish systems that are already functioning effectively through KC Pet Project.” Despite these concerns, KC Pet Project hopes to remain a provider of animal control services for the city in the future.
Criticism Mounts Over KC Pet Project’s Animal Control Response
Since KC Pet Project assumed responsibility for animal control services in 2020, residents have increasingly voiced their dissatisfaction, particularly regarding the organization’s perceived slow response to reports of dangerous dogs. Concerns have centered on incidents where residents felt that the response was not timely enough to prevent harm or ensure public safety.
Jacquie Gering, a resident of Kansas City’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, became a vocal critic after her dog, Olive, was attacked by two pit bulls during Memorial Day weekend. Investigations revealed that these same dogs, named Duke and Daisy, had been involved in multiple attacks on pets during the same period. This traumatic experience propelled Gering to become an advocate for pet safety and a prominent voice among those questioning KC Pet Project’s effectiveness in animal control.
“My immediate reaction was relief,” Gering commented upon learning about the potential contract termination. “Our personal experience has been deeply traumatic. We cherish living in the city, close to downtown, and we want others to feel the same way,” she elaborated in an email, highlighting the broader impact of animal control issues on community well-being and resident satisfaction.
Another distressing incident involved the death of 46-year-old Chris Culbertson, who was attacked by a pack of dogs while cycling in south Kansas City last month. Culbertson tragically succumbed to over 300 bite wounds after two days in hospital. His family raised serious concerns that KC Pet Project did not impound the dogs immediately following the attack. The Kansas City Police Department investigated the case, and the prosecutor’s office is currently reviewing it to determine if charges will be filed.
KC Pet Project’s approach to animal control since 2020 prioritized reducing citations and fostering responsible pet ownership, a shift from the city’s previous enforcement-focused model. However, a 2023 KCUR investigation revealed a significant decrease in citations issued. In the two years preceding KC Pet Project’s takeover, Kansas City animal control officers issued 3,683 citations, whereas, in the subsequent two years under KC Pet Project, that number dropped to 1,973 – a 46% reduction.
Despite the criticism, Fugate maintains that KC Pet Project handles over 15,000 service calls annually, exceeding the volume managed when the city directly ran animal control. She also asserted that their division is “one of the most respected animal control programs in the nation.” “We firmly believe that our professionally trained Animal Services Division is best positioned to continue delivering the most effective and efficient services for both residents and animals in Kansas City,” Fugate stated.
Kate Quigley, who leads the Chain of Hope animal rescue group, emphasized the necessity for the city to recommit to enforcing animal control ordinances. She specifically pointed to the “failure of KCPP to enforce” the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for pit bulls, which she believes has contributed to shelter overcrowding and increased euthanasia rates.
Councilwoman Melissa Patterson Hazley announced her intention to introduce an ordinance directing City Manager Platt to initiate the process of reinstating the city’s animal control operation. “I have received considerable feedback from residents, and this is what they desire,” she stated, adding that she receives weekly emails expressing concerns about animal control services.
If the City Council approves the ordinance, the city manager will have 30 days to formulate a transition plan. This plan would encompass hiring personnel and procuring vehicles, some of which may potentially be sourced from KC Pet Project, according to Platt. “This presents a valuable opportunity for us to completely rethink the service from the ground up, taking into account all the complaints and concerns we have heard from numerous residents across Kansas City,” Platt concluded, indicating a comprehensive review and restructuring of animal control services is anticipated.
Kim Wallace Carlson, another Beacon Hill resident whose dog was attacked two years prior, expressed “cautious optimism” that animal control services will improve under city management. “I hope no one ever has to endure the fear I experienced when confronted by two loose dogs while walking my dog, who was injured in the attack,” she shared, underscoring the lasting impact of these incidents on community members and their pets.
