Following recommendations in June from the Lyon County Animal Advisory Board, the animal shelter in Silver Springs is extending its operating hours to seven days a week, said Jeff Page, Lyon County emergency management coordinator.
The advisory board gave county commissioners the recommendations last month after a Storey County family said their dog was attacked by three pit bulls also housed in the same kennel at the shelter.
Page said that in the past the shelter operated Monday through Friday because of staffing. But after looking at schedules, they've been able to extend hours to include the weekend without having to add an employee.
"I consider the (weekend hours) very encouraging," said Willis Lamm, vice-chairman of the advisory board. "I think we're on a solution track, but it's taking a little while."
He said the shelter has also taken steps to address other improvements, such as marking occupied kennels and working on the phone system so that callers get alternate numbers after hours.
The animal board is also expecting a report on how the shelter will manage having an animal control officer on duty 24 hours a day.