Animal Services has new manager

Cindy Hannah has been named the manager of Carson City Animal Services.

Hannah has worked for Carson City Health and Human Services for three years and most recently managed chronic disease prevention and health promotion with the Health Department. She will be paid $63,440 a year, according to Nikki Aaker, city Health & Human Services director.

Hannah takes over for interim director William H. Brandon, a former Fircrest, Wash., city manager. Brandon temporarily replaced ex-director Gail Radtke, who parted ways with the city in late August and has sued the city, alleging wrongful termination.

Hannah said in a news release that her goals in the job include re-establishing relationships with community partners. That likely will be the biggest challenge facing her; Animal Services was the center of controversy over the summer after a Carson City woman’s dog was euthanized against the owner’s wishes. The woman eventually settled with the city for $41,500.

Deputy City Manager Marena Works said at the time that after news about the dog went public, pet adoptions decreased and volunteers left Animal Services.

The shelter closed for three days shortly after the dog’s owner wrote a letter to the editor about the situation to the Nevada Appeal, reportedly for staff training.

Hannah’s hiring was approved at Thursday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. Her first day with Animal Services will be Dec. 2.