Lack of shelter space sinks Magdalena’s bid for animal control officer

A proposal to establish an animal control officer position in the Village of Magdalena failed on a tie vote during the Feb. 23 board meeting, leaving the community without a designated responder for stray or dangerous animal calls.

The measure was added to the agenda at the request of a resident, according to Mayor Michael Thompson. Trustees split evenly on whether to create the position, and Thompson cast the deciding vote against it.

Thompson said his primary concern was not the need for animal control, which he said is an ongoing issue, but the lack of a place to take impounded animals. 

“One of the problems is… where we’re going to take them?” he said in a follow‑up conversation. 

He noted that the Socorro Animal Shelter has been struggling with limited space, and the village has no holding facility of its own.

The mayor said he intended to contact the shelter to discuss capacity and potential options, but had not yet reached staff before the vote. 

“I had the bright idea, you know, hey, I need to call down there, and I called at 4:05 and it closed at four o’clock,” he said.

Without a shelter agreement or local kennel, trustees questioned whether hiring an officer would solve the problem or create new logistical challenges. Thompson said he expects the issue to return to the board once more information is available. 

“I have a feeling it’s going to come up again anyway,” he said.

Magdalena currently has no animal control officers, a fact that surprised some residents who have been trying to reach the village for assistance. The board last discussed the matter during its Feb. 23 meeting, where trustees weighed the need for enforcement against the practical limits of housing animals.

For now, the village will continue relying on residents, law enforcement and informal coordination when animal issues arise, while officials explore whether a sustainable system can be put in place.