News

The City of Murphy is a small, but fast-growing community with a history dating back to 1958. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the population of Murphy was 3,099. According to the Real Estate Center of the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, Murphy was listed as the “4^th Fastest Growing Small Texas Community” between 2000 and 2005–showing a 255 percent increase. Due to the growth in population, the need for a properly equipped and professional Animal Control module is essential for public safety in order to maintain an acceptable quality of life for Murphy’s residents.

The Animal Control Services division is responsible for numerous tasks including enforcing animal-related city ordinances and state laws, collecting required fees, educating the public, arranging pet adoptions, issuing of licenses, investigating animal bites and cruelty to animals, as well as handling potentially diseased and dangerous animals.

Currently, the Animal Control Bureau uses a module that slides into the bed of a standard pickup truck. The current unit is difficult to use due to the height of the compartments, no interior lights, and no secondary doors. The Animal Control Officer usually has to physically pick up the animal in order to place it inside the truck while working with the catch pole, which could be detrimental when dealing with animals that have tested positive for rabies.

By purchasing this chassis mount animal-control body, the Murphy Police Department believes that this grant will have an extensive impact with the public safety needs in the community. It will also benefit Animal Control Officers, Police Officers and citizens of the City of Murphy.