DAC director reassigned to care for police horses

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Detroit Animal Control Director Harry Ward.

The former Director of the Detroit Animal Control has a new job in the City of Detroit: he'll be caring for the horses in the police mounted horses unit.

Harry Ward was removed from his position as director this month after several weeks of protests outside the DAC. The protests started after a whistleblower shared pictures of dogs that had died inside the facility.

On Monday, Melissa Miller was announced as the new director of the DAC. On Tuesday, Ward's change was announced. Ward will be caring for the mounted horses in the police department.

The Health Department released a statement Monday announce Miller's position:

"Today (Monday), the Detroit Health Department is excited to welcome Ms. Melissa Miller as the new Director of Animal Control. Melissa is a consummate animal services professional who brings with her years of experience in challenging animal control and sheltering situations. The Department has heard from many of the animal rights groups we have worked with so closely this year, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive and optimistic about Melissa's arrival.
Melissa will continue the work we have started with pet owners and our community partners to improve animal care and customer service. The public should expect Detroit Animal Control (DAC) to see significant progress very soon under its new leadership, particularly as it relates to placing more dogs into caring homes. We are confident that, in time, Melissa and her team will fulfill DAC's mission of protecting Detroiters from animal-related disease and injury while humanely sheltering and caring for the animals in its care."

FOX 2 has put in a request to interview Miller but those requests have been denied.