Tails wag at county commission meeting

BERNALILLO — It was an evening for the dogs Aug. 13 at the Sandoval County Commission meeting as the commissioners recognized National Dog Month with a proclamation.

Four dogs were present at the meeting to represent man’s best friend, including three service dogs with both the Sandoval County EMS and Sheriff’s offices, and an adoptable puppy from the county animal services department.

Commissioner Katherine Bruch presented the proclamation to recognize the month.

“Tonight, I’m going to read the proclamation, but I’m also going to let you know that we’ve got some visitors here with us today, puppies, and we also have some of our service animals, because that is such an integral part of our law enforcement on the public safety side,” she said. “Whether it’s emergency services, health care in our communities, our detention center, our sheriff’s office, so I really appreciate them being here tonight as we celebrate the National Dog Month.”

The proclamation states that August was established as National Dog Month in 2020 to “celebrate all the ways that dogs make our lives better.”

“According to the recent American Pet Projects Association’s national pet owner survey of 65.1 million U.S. households, people own more than 89.7 million dogs, making dogs the most popular pet in the country,” Bruch read from the proclamation.

She added that 60% of New Mexico households have a pet and, of those households, 39.4% own dog(s).

“It serves to help remind the public about the number of dogs needing to be rescued each year from public shelters, rescues and surgery, pure-breed rescues,” she read. “This special month also acknowledges working dogs that help protect our freedom and provide safety by putting themselves in harm’s way every day as they assist law enforcement by performing tasks that humans are unable to do, such as sniffing out drugs and bombs and helping with recovery efforts and disaster events.”

It also recognized dogs that assist in detecting medical episodes such as seizures and cancer.

“National Dog Month celebrates our lovable canine friends because we know that they improve our lives and make us happier, less stressed and more optimistic every single day,” Bruch read.

She also stated the county is committed to helping dogs. One of the ways the county is doing this is with one of its regular spay and neuter clinics in September. The county’s new animal resource center will near is nearing completion for 2026.