New director of Detroit Animal Control promises change

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Meet the new boss - Melissa Miller is the new face is in charge at Detroit Animal Control.

"I think we have a lot of opportunities here to really put some processes in place that are going to help little guys like this," she said.

Miller, the long-awaited new director of Detroit Animal Control, is hoping to help Detroit Animal Control turn over a new leaf. After two days into the job, she's already implementing a new holiday transfer program to nearby shelters.

"We had a number of dogs who stray hold expired over the weekend and so, I'm really proud of our staff," Miller said. "They really stepped it up, we were able to throw this together in about 18 hours."

About 20 dogs are on their way to a forever home, just in time for the holidays.

Some of Miller's goals for the new year include reinstating public adoption, and within the next 30 days, starting up a volunteer program.

"We're dealing with a lot of different types of dogs and a lot of different types of circumstances that deal with public safety," Miller said. "So we want to make sure that any training program we implement is robust."

Miller tells us she's passionate about animals, and has traveled the country with the Humane Society of the United States, working in disaster situations.

"For the last five years I've worked in large scale cruelty rescues and response," Miller said. "So, responding to large-scale seizures of animals from hoarding, puppy mills, and dog fighting."

Meanwhile, former director Harry Ward has been reassigned within the city, and is now working with the Detroit mounted police unit, tending to the horses. There has been no word on any cuts to his $80,000 a year salary.

Sources also tell us his dog peaches, has been transferred to The Michigan Humane Society for adoption.

Miller, excited for her new role, hopes to lead the way to a new Detroit Animal Control.

"I'm loving it," she said. "We've got a great team and a lot of support."

Small steps this week, a sign of much more change to come.