Animal Control Officer Kelly Jones joined the Sterling Police Department in August 2021 with prior experience serving as an Animal Control Officer in Holden. Officer Jones has served in numerous roles in law enforcement to include Dispatcher, Lead Dispatcher, Traffic Officer, Civilian Detention Officer and Police Matron. Officer Jones is a graduate of the Reserve Police Academy in Boylston and the
Animal Control Officer Academy in Oxford. Jones has taken on the role of Animal Inspector for the Town of Sterling under the Board of Health in May 2024. In her role as Animal Control Officer and Animal Inspector, Officer Jones is responsible for conducting yearly Kennel Inspections and Barn Inspections. These calls can include loose animals, animal bites, sick or injured wildlife, orphaned wildlife, trapped animals, wildlife inside businesses or residences, dangerous or nuisance animal complaints, cruelty and neglect reports, animals left in hot or cold vehicles and numerous others. In her daily activity, Officer Jones works with local Animal Shelters, Kennels, Veterinary Clinics and Emergency Hospitals, other Animal Control Officers and Animal Inspectors, Massachusetts Environmental Police, MassWildlife, local Animal Rescues, Wildlife Rehabilitators, MSPCA, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and others. Officer Jones also communicates with the Media and news outlets when inquiries are made about animal calls or cases. Officer Jones maintains the ACO Van and various animal care and control equipment such as catch poles, humane traps, nets, leashes and harnesses, muzzles, crates and carriers, PPEs, rescue equipment, first aid equipment and investigation equipment. Officer Jones participates in community activities such as Community Reading Day and Mystery Reader at various WRSD elementary schools, Public Safety Weekend at Davis Farmland, Emergency Animal Sheltering and Preparedness Training's at the Sterling Senior Center, Animal Control Advisory Board Meetings, Red Cross Resource Recovery Centers after local disasters, staffing Emergency Animal Shelters during and after local disasters, and presents Animal Reading and Handling training for Disaster Responders with Central Mass Disaster Animal Response Team (CMDART)
