With the release of the year-end 2021 report from the Columbia Police Department, the Columbia Animal and Rescue Center remains rated a "No-Kill" shelter for the third year in the row. A shelter is considered a no-kill shelter when the live release rate is more than 90%. The facility had a live release rate of 90.57% for 2021.
Columbia Police Chief Michael Kelly said he is extremely proud of the staff at the shelter. The workers consist of animal control officers Mallory Belk, Danielle Barber, Mary Smith and Christina McMillion, and they work seven days a week.
"These ladies are some of the hardest working people in the city,” Kelly said. “These ladies work hard every day of the week in caring for the animals and doing everything they can to provide homes for them. Whether it is through transport or adoption locally, they do what they can for the animals."
A total of 400 animals went through the doors of the shelter in 2021. The majority of the animals were surrendered or seized in the county. Nearly 300 animals came from the county, while the amount received from the city is around 100.
"We go to great lengths not to euthanize an animal and reunite them with their owners," Kelly said.
He said the majority of the animals are leaving the shelter healthier than when they came.
Another area he is proud of is the number of training hours the officers have put in. The total combined hours completed was 4,398. The department has had up to 23 workers at a time.
"It's incredible to complete that many training hours with the size of the department," Kelly said.
An area that saw an increase in 2021 was the use of force incidents by the police department although citizen complaints dropped. Kelly said one reason there was an increase is because more stringent reporting is being kept. However, the reasoning for the increase is actually because of people trying to take advantage of smaller-sized officers.
"People will try to go against those smaller officers. Those officers are not scared because they know how to properly do their jobs," he said.
When a use of force report is made, the officer's bodycam footage is reviewed to verify everything was handled correctly.
In the war on drugs, Kelly said the city deals with marijuana more than any of the other illegal substance out there. He said it is very easy to find it because it is so prevalent.
Overall, Kelly said he is proud of his officers.
