The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is seeing a smooth transition as it assumes management of the county’s Regional Animal Services.

Sheriff Michael Haley says he is confident residents will benefit from increased collaboration and coordination of duties between Animal Control officers and law enforcement.

The Board of Commissioners approved moving Regional Animal Services to the sheriff’s office as an opportunity to align Washoe County with an emerging national trend to merge Animal Services with public safety agencies.

The sheriff’s office appointed former Washoe County Court Security Supervisor Barry Brode as regional animal services manager, replacing the previous manager who retired in December.