Field Operations

Our agency employs 16 Animal Control Officers and one supervisor to handle all domestic animal-related incidents throughout all of Lee County. Field Operations provides a service to Lee County 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit

For concerns related to animal cruelty, neglect, or welfare investigations, please contact the following staff members who specialize in humane enforcement and case management:

• Leo Avila – Senior Animal Control Officer | LAvila@leegov.com
• Nicole Mayer – Senior Animal Control Officer | NMayer@leegov.com 

Nuisance Animal Complaints & Neighborhood Outreach 

For assistance with nuisance animal issues (e.g., barking dogs, loose pets, aggressive animals, etc.) or to connect with the neighborhood outreach officer:

• Derrick Wallace – Senior Animal Control Officer | DWallace@leegov.com 

Breeder & Commercial Enforcement*
For questions or complaints related to breeder requirements, pet stores, or other commercial animal-related businesses, contact the officers responsible for regulatory compliance in this area:

• Sue Byler – Animal Control Officer | SByler@leegov.com
• Jessica Clore – Animal Control Officer | JClore@leegov.com

Hours:

• Sunday-Saturday – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. – Full Service

• Holidays – Emergency calls only

• Late Night – 11:00 p.m. to 8 a.m. – Emergency calls only 

Miscellaneous Information:

• Animals cannot be removed from a person or property unless the animal is in distress or has caused the death or serious injury to a person, according to County Ordinance and State Law.

• Rabies follow-up after a bite is handled by the Lee County Health Department; we assist as needed.  

• During a bite investigation we must identify the correct animal involved to pursue ordinance violations or a dangerous dog designation.

• Our Animal Control Officers do not have the authority to physically arrest a person involved in criminal animal cruelty. However, we work closely with all local law enforcement as we pursue these criminal charges.

• During the weekends and night shifts we have an answering service that takes our calls and will relay the emergency calls to the officers. Please call 239-533-7387, ext. 2.

• During the weekend and night shifts we have minimal staffing; depending on call volumes, delays may occur.

• Please see Ordinance & Fines for additional information.