“We feel like there should be a collaborative solution that works for everybody in the county, and it should be whatever is best for us to provide that service efficiently. That’s what we hope will come of this.” Ryan Cannon, Avon Town Manager
Since March 2026, the sheriff’s department has responded to 1,097 animal related calls for service. Of those calls, 400 have been animal bite reports and subsequent follow-ups. They have also issued 34 state statue citations, five warnings, and filed nine criminal charges. These charges were for Indiana State Criminal Statute violations of neglect, abandonment, and bites causing injury.
Since the adoption of the Hendricks County Animal Control/Shelter Ordinance 2000-30 in 2000, animal concerns such as stray dogs, animal neglect or a dog bite, have been reported to the Hendricks County Animal Control.
This changed in January 2026 when the Hendricks County Commissioners removed the current countywide Animal Control function. The animal shelter, housed at 250 E. Campus Boulevard in Danville, remains in operation for the county and is overseen by the commissioners.
In Indiana, state law does not mandate local governments to run or establish an official animal control agency. Additionally, in the absence of a dedicated animal control department, state law (Indiana Code 35-46-3) defaults enforcement authority to local law enforcement agencies.
The January decision prompted Sheriff Jack Sadler and the sheriff’s department to step up and take on animal concerns. Three Community Support/Animal Control Division employees were put in place starting in March 2026.
“My intent was to assist our local communities through a transition period, with the understanding that each municipality would ultimately assume responsibility for animal related calls within its own jurisdiction. At no time was my intent to permanently assume responsibility for animal control services within incorporated municipalities that have their own full-time law enforcement agencies,” said Sadler.
The plan therefore was that Avon, Brownsburg, Danville, Pittsboro and Plainfield would assume animal control responsibilities locally. All additional towns and jurisdictions would remain under the Sheriff department’s responsibility.
Sadler explained he initiated conversations with the impacted municipal police chiefs with the expectation that they would work together throughout the year to provide service and allow them time to plan, budget and determine how best to address animal welfare concerns in their respective communities. This information was communicated in February by email and in meetings consistently throughout the year.
However, some of the towns are saying communication wasn’t clear, a timeframe wasn’t provided, and the first they were made fully aware of the transition was recently, in October, when they received the proposed animal ordinance revisions.
Concerns have been raised that town budgets for 2027 are already set and towns don’t have the infrastructure in place to assume this role.
“We don’t have a vehicle to transport animals for impoundments. We don’t have dog leashes. We don’t have access to tranquilizer guns. We don’t have any of those things. So now we’re really digging in … we’re scrambling to say we’re going to figure it out,” shared Jared Mckee, Plainfield’s Director of Public Safety.
McKee spoke at the October 13 commissioners’ meeting requesting a stay on the ordinance.
“Part of my request for the stay was for collaboration, not just a better understanding, but a better solution,” said McKee.
Avon Town Manager, Ryan Cannon, shared a similar sentiment.
“I think we knew that the county was having issues with the shelter and animal control in general, but I don’t think we knew they were going to shift the burden to us. I think the county kind of came up with their own solution, and then just kind of said, ‘this is what we’re doing and you guys figure it out.’”
Cannon acknowledged that some assistance was offered recently from the sheriff’s department, such as training resources and ride alongs.
“We feel like there should be a collaborative solution that works for everybody in the county, and it should be whatever is best for us to provide that service efficiently. That’s what we hope will come of all of this,” shared Cannon.
To date, the Town of Avon is not fielding animal concern calls. Calls are being directed to the sheriff’s department.
The transition has occurred in the Town of Danville. Code Enforcement Coordinator Nathan Ford is currently addressing animal concern calls with the assistance of the Danville Police Department. Equipment such as catch poles, bite gloves, and pet microchip scanners has been obtained. Kennels and crates have been provided for transporting animals. Ford has completed ride alongs and casework with Sergeant Jason Wright with the sheriff’s department, who he said has been a great resource. Ford received certification with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health and the Indiana Animal Investigations Academy. He also completed free online courses through Maddie’s University. The calls Ford handles for Danville average fewer than ten per month.
To date, we haven’t heard from Brownsburg officials, and we are in the process of contacting the Town of Pittsboro.
At the November 10 commissioners’ meeting, the decision was made to extend the ordinance change date to May 1, 2027. More information to follow in our November 19 issue.
