Borough hires new head of animal control

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough found its newest head dog-catcher in Montana.

According to a borough press release put out Wednesday, Richard Stockdale of Kalispell, Mont., will report for work Monday.

The borough says that 19 people from Alaska and Outside applied for the job. Stockdale’s resume includes work in the animal care field starting in 1985 and 15 years as director of animal care for Flathead County, Mont.

Flathead County is in the state’s northwest corner and encompasses part of Glacier National Park. The population there was estimated at more than 89,000 as of 2009. Like the Mat-Su Borough, Flathead County is one of the fastest growing counties in its state, according to the county’s website.

The animal care and regulation chief position has been vacant since September when Bob Haskell, who’d had the job for about two years, resigned abruptly with no word as to why. Haskell’s predecessor, Dave Allison, left in a similar fashion.

With Haskell gone, the borough said it has reconfigured the duties of the position, describing it now as an animal care manager position rather than an animal care chief.

The borough says the shelter’s veterinarian, Katrina Zwolinski, is the supervisor at the shelter.

A shelter expansion began under Allison and wrapped up under Haskell, adding more than 13,000 square feet to the 7,650-square-foot facility. The new facility opened in 2009. Stockdale, the borough says, has experience running new facilities.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.