West Virginia Civic Resource Engine: Master Data Specification and Operational Analysis Report

Institutional Research Analysis (v2.1)

Civic infrastructure January 6, 2026
Prepared By: Synthesized by Gemini AI

West Virginia Civic Resource Engine: Master Data Specification and Operational Analysis Report

Executive Summary

The operationalization of the West Virginia Civic Resource Engine represents a significant step forward in the digital infrastructure of the state. By integrating Gemini’s pragmatic deployment architecture (utilizing a lightweight SQLite and Python backend) with OpenAI’s robust data modeling capabilities, and pre-seeding the system with Claude’s verified datasets, we aim to solve a persistent challenge in Appalachian governance: the fragmentation of civic service data.

This report serves as the comprehensive “ground truth” document for the research phase of this initiative. It provides an exhaustive analysis of the contact information, operating protocols, and agency availability for Veterans Service Offices (CVSO), Non-Emergency Law Enforcement (Sheriff’s Departments), and Animal Control Agencies across all 55 counties in West Virginia.

The research reveals a complex landscape. While the Law Enforcement layer is constitutionally consistent—with every county electing a Sheriff—the Animal Control layer is highly heterogeneous, ranging from sworn “Dog Wardens” to contracted non-profit partnerships. Similarly, the Veterans Assistance layer operates on a regional “hub-and-spoke” model that requires sophisticated data mapping to route users effectively.

The following sections detail the methodology, the architectural data model, and the granular county-by-county specifications required to generate the CSV templates for deployment.

1. Architectural Data Strategy and Verification Protocols

To successfully deploy a Python-based resource engine that serves 55 distinct jurisdictions, the data ingestion strategy must account for the disparate nature of the source material. We have identified three distinct data topologies that define the West Virginia civic landscape. Understanding these topologies is a prerequisite for accurate CSV generation.

1.1 The Constitutional Stability of the Sheriff Layer

The office of the Sheriff is a constitutionally mandated position in West Virginia, ensuring 100% coverage across the state. This dataset is the most stable and reliable.

  • Data Integrity: The 2025 election cycle has just concluded, providing a fresh roster of officials for the 2025-2028 term.[1]
  • Operational Distinction: A critical distinction exists between the Sheriff’s Tax/Administrative Office and the County 911 Center. The user query specifies “Non-Emergency” contact. In many rural counties, the Sheriff’s office closes at 4:30 PM, after which calls route to the 911 Center (Office of Emergency Management).
  • Ingestion Protocol: The database must store two numbers: admin_phone for business hours (tax, records, concealed carry) and dispatch_phone for after-hours non-emergency reporting.[2]

1.2 The Heterogeneity of the Animal Control Layer

Animal control represents the most volatile data layer. There is no single “Department of Animal Control” at the state level. Instead, authority is delegated to county commissions, who execute it through three primary models:

  • The Sworn Officer Model: A dedicated “Dog Warden” or “Humane Officer” is a county employee.[3]
  • The Contractor Model: The county contracts a local non-profit Humane Society to handle enforcement and sheltering.[5]
  • The Default Model: In the absence of a specific agency, WV Code §7-10-1 designates the Sheriff as the default humane officer.[7]
  • Verification Insight: The “2023-2024 Spay Neuter Grantee List”[8] serves as a critical proxy for identifying valid, state-recognized animal welfare entities. If an entity is receiving state grant money, it is an active and verified node for the resource engine.

1.3 The Hub-and-Spoke Veteran Services Layer

The West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance (WVDVA) utilizes a centralized efficiency model. It does not maintain 55 offices. Instead, 16 “Field Offices” serve as regional hubs.[9]

  • Routing Logic: The engine cannot simply query “Clay County VSO.” It must implement a logic layer that knows “Clay County is served by the Charleston Field Office.”
  • Itinerary Points: Some counties have “Itinerary Stops” where a VSO visits once a month (e.g., Gilmer County).[9] For the purpose of a digital resource, we prioritize the permanently staffed Field Office phone number to ensure veterans can reach a human immediately, rather than waiting for a monthly visit.

2. The Law Enforcement Layer: 2025-2028 Sheriff Roster Analysis

The research confirms that the 2025 election cycle has significantly updated the leadership roster for West Virginia law enforcement. The West Virginia Sheriffs’ Association has published the verified list of officers for the term commencing January 1, 2025.[1]

This dataset is critical because the Sheriff in West Virginia serves a dual role: the chief law enforcement officer and the treasurer of the county. This means their operating hours are strictly tied to the county courthouse schedule, typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.[11]

The connectivity matrix highlights a key operational insight: while every county has a Sheriff, not every county maintains a 24/7 distinct administrative line. In counties like Wirt and Wood, dispatch resources are shared, necessitating careful routing of non-emergency calls to the correct 911 center to avoid clogging emergency bandwidth.[13]

3. The Animal Welfare Layer: Governance and Grants

The Animal Control layer requires the most sophisticated data modeling. The research identifies a heavy reliance on the non-profit sector to fulfill statutory duties.

As illustrated, the partnership model is dominant. This is further evidenced by the West Virginia Department of Agriculture’s Spay Neuter Grantee List[8], which lists organizations like “Animal Friends of Barbour County” and “Mercer County Humane Society” as the primary recipients of state funding for animal control activities. For the purpose of the Civic Resource Engine, these grantee organizations often represent the most helpful contact point for citizens regarding stray animals, adoption, and volunteering, even if the legal enforcement power resides with the Sheriff.

4. Comprehensive County-by-County Operational Specifications

The following narrative provides the detailed specifications for the CSV template generation. It is organized alphabetically by county to ensure exhaustive coverage of the 55 jurisdictions.

Barbour County to Calhoun County

Barbour County operates within the North Central region.

  • Law Enforcement: Led by Sheriff Brett Carpenter (Term 2025-2028). Administrative contact: 304-457-2352.[1] Non-emergency dispatch: 304-457-5167 or 304-457-0019.[2]
  • Animal Control: Hybrid function. Barbour County Animal Shelter (304-823-1065) is the primary care facility. “Animal Friends of Barbour County” is a recognized grantee.[8] Complaints routed through non-emergency dispatch line.[14]
  • Veterans Services: Routed to Elkins Field Office or Clarksburg.[9]

Berkeley County, high-growth Eastern Panhandle.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Robert A. “Rob” Blair. Administrative line: 304-267-7000, non-emergency dispatch: 304-263-1330.[1]
  • Animal Control: Dedicated Berkeley County Animal Control (700 South Queen Street, Martinsburg). Phone: 304-263-4729.[16] Partner: Berkeley County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Martinsburg Field Office is a primary location.[9]

Boone County, southern coalfields.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Chad P. Barker. Phone: 304-369-7390. Non-emergency: 304-369-7273.[1]
  • Animal Control: Abuse/neglect directed to Sheriff’s line (304-369-7390).[17] Grantees: Help for Animals, INC. and New Hope Animal Rescue.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Routed to Logan or Charleston hubs.[9]

Braxton County, geographic center.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Eddie W. Williams (Phone: 304-765-5122).[1] Dispatch: 304-765-5361.[2]
  • Animal Control: Braxton County Animal Shelter (10 Animal Shelter Lane, Sutton). Director: Luke Nettles (Phone: 304-765-2200).[18]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Summersville or Clarksburg.[9]

Brooke County, Northern Panhandle.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Richard Beatty (Phone: 304-737-3660).[1]
  • Animal Control: Dedicated Dog Warden and shelter (Phone: 304-527-3987).[17] Enforces leash laws.[19]
  • Veterans Services: Served by the Wheeling Field Office.[9]

Cabell County, Huntington metro.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Douglas W. Adams (Phone: 304-526-8663).[1] Dispatch: 304-526-8555.[2]
  • Animal Control: Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Control Shelter (Phone: 304-696-5551), managed by WVAR.[6] Shared resource for Cabell and Wayne.
  • Veterans Services: Huntington Field Office.[9]

Calhoun County, rural jurisdiction.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Graham Knight (Phone: 304-354-6333).[1] Dispatch: 304-354-9271.[2]
  • Animal Control: Sheriff acts as default contact.[17] Grantees: Hearts and Hands 4 Paws and Welfare of Animals Group.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Spencer or Parkersburg.[9]

Clay County to Fayette County

Clay County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Allen C. King (Phone: 304-587-4260).[1] Dispatch: 304-587-2019.[2]
  • Animal Control: Sheriff is primary contact.[17] Partners: Dog Bless (DBWV) and New Hope Animal Rescue.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Charleston Field Office.[9]

Doddridge County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Clinton Boring (Phone: 304-873-1944).[1] Dispatch: 304-659-3770.[2]
  • Animal Control: Doddridge County Humane Society is the active grantee.[8] Sheriff handles enforcement.[17]
  • Veterans Services: Parkersburg or Clarksburg.[9]

Fayette County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Jess R. McMullen (Phone: 304-574-4259).[1] Dispatch: 304-574-4216.
  • Animal Control: County Animal Control Officer (Phone: 304-574-3682).[17] Grantee: New River Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Beckley Field Office.[9]

Gilmer County to Harrison County

Gilmer County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Donald E. “Smokey” Belin (Phone: 304-462-7441). Dispatch: 304-269-8241.[2]
  • Animal Control: Sheriff’s main line.[21]
  • Veterans Services: Port of call hub is Spencer.[9]

Grant County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Steven Lee Wratchford, Jr. (Phone: 304-257-1818).[1] Non-emergency handled by OEM: 304-257-5451.[22]
  • Animal Control: Grant County Animal Shelter / Animal Outreach (Phone: 304-434-2928).[23]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Moorefield.[9]

Greenbrier County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Bart Baker (Phone: 304-647-6678).[1] Dispatch: 304-647-7901.[2]
  • Animal Control: Greenbrier County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Lewisburg Field Office.[9]

Hampshire County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Nathan J. Sions (Phone: 304-822-3894).[1] Dispatch: 304-822-7513.[2]
  • Animal Control: Hampshire County Animal Control (155 Kerr Drive, Augusta). Phone: 304-822-7300.[24]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Moorefield or Martinsburg.[9]

Hancock County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Scott Gittings (Phone: 304-564-3911).[1] Dispatch: 304-564-4100.[2]
  • Animal Control: Dog Warden system via 304-564-4100.[4]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Wheeling or Weirton.[9]

Hardy County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Steven Dawson (Phone: 304-530-0222).[1] Dispatch: 304-530-0291.[2]
  • Animal Control: Hardy County Animal Shelter (362 Fitzwater Lane, Moorefield). Phone: 304-434-2928.[25]
  • Veterans Services: Moorefield Field Office.[9]

Harrison County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Robert Matheny, II (Phone: 304-624-8550).[1] Dispatch: 304-626-4900.[2]
  • Animal Control: Humane Society of Harrison County (Phone: 304-592-1600).[26]
  • Veterans Services: Clarksburg Field Office.[9]

Jackson County to McDowell County

Jackson County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Ross Mellinger (Phone: 304-373-2290).[1] Dispatch: 304-373-2278.[2]
  • Animal Control: Jackson County Animal Shelter.8
  • Veterans Services: Spencer hub.9

Jefferson County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Tom Hansen (Phone: 304-728-3205).[1] Dispatch: 304-725-8484.[2]
  • Animal Control: Jefferson County Animal Control (161 Poor Farm Road, Kearneysville). Phone: 304-728-3289.[28]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Martinsburg or Charles Town.[9]

Kanawha County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Joey Crawford (Phone: 304-357-0216).[1] Dispatch: 304-746-7911.[2]
  • Animal Control: Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association (KCHA) (Phone: 304-342-1576).8
  • Veterans Services: Charleston Field Office.[9]

Lewis County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Mickey E. Metz (Phone: 304-269-8251).[1] Dispatch: 304-269-8243.[2]
  • Animal Control: Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility (Buckhannon). Phone: 304-472-3865.[29]
  • Veterans Services: Clarksburg hub.9

Lincoln County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Harvey Scites (Phone: 304-824-7990 ext. 226).[1] Dispatch: 304-824-3443.[2]
  • Animal Control: ASAP (Advocates Saving Adoptable Pets).8
  • Veterans Services: Served by Huntington or Logan.[9]

Logan County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Paul D. Clemens (Phone: 304-792-8590).[1] Dispatch: 304-752-7662.[2]
  • Animal Control: Logan County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Logan Field Office.[9]

Marion County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Roger Cunningham (Phone: 304-367-5300).[1] Dispatch: 304-366-0196.[2]
  • Animal Control: Marion County Animal Control.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Clarksburg hub.9

Marshall County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Michael Dougherty (Phone: 304-843-1550).[1] Dispatch: 304-845-1920.[2]
  • Animal Control: Marshall County Animal Shelter.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Wheeling.[9]

Mason County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Corey J. Miller (Phone: 304-675-3838).[1] Dispatch: 304-675-9911.[2]
  • Animal Control: Mason County Animal Shelter.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Huntington.[9]

McDowell County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff James E. “Boomer” Muncy (Phone: 304-436-8541).[1] Dispatch: 304-436-5700.[2]
  • Animal Control: McDowell County Animal Shelter.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Princeton hub.9

Mercer County to Pleasants County

Mercer County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Alan Christian (Phone: 304-487-8303).[1] Dispatch: 304-425-8911.[2]
  • Animal Control: Mercer County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Princeton Field Office.[9]

Mineral County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Joel E. Wisner (Phone: 304-788-0341).[1] Dispatch: 304-788-4106.[2]
  • Animal Control: Mineral County Animal Control. Phone: 304-788-5720.[30]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Moorefield.[9]

Mingo County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Joe Smith (Phone: 304-235-0300).[1] Dispatch: 304-235-8551.[2]
  • Animal Control: Mingo County Dog Warden. Phone: 304-235-0252.[32]
  • Veterans Services: Routed to Logan.[9]

Monongalia County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Todd Forbes (Phone: 304-291-7260).[1] Dispatch: 304-599-6332.[2]
  • Animal Control: Monongalia County Canine Adoption Center (MCCAC). Phone: 304-291-7267.[3]
  • Veterans Services: Clarksburg hub.9

Monroe County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Michael J. Heller (Phone: 304-772-3018).[1] Dispatch: 304-772-3911.[2]
  • Animal Control: Monroe County Animal League.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Lewisburg or Princeton.[9]

Morgan County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Johnnie Walter (Phone: 304-258-1067).[1] Dispatch: 304-258-0305.[2]
  • Animal Control: Humane Society of Morgan County.8
  • Veterans Services: Served by Martinsburg.[9]

Nicholas County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff John W. “Johnny” Evans Jr. (Phone: 304-872-7880).[1] Dispatch: 304-872-7890.[2]
  • Animal Control: Nicholas County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Summersville Field Office.[9]

Ohio County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Harry (Nelson) Croft, Jr. (Phone: 304-234-3718).[1] Dispatch: 304-234-3695.[2]
  • Animal Control: Ohio County Dog Warden.8
  • Veterans Services: Wheeling Field Office.[9]

Pendleton County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Bradley D. Kimble (Phone: 304-358-2214).[1] Dispatch: 304-358-3889.[2]
  • Animal Control: Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS). Phone: 304-358-7573.[33]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Elkins or Moorefield.[9]

Pleasants County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Charles Mankins (Phone: 304-684-2285).[1] Dispatch: 304-684-0035.[2]
  • Animal Control: Pleasants County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Parkersburg.[9]

Pocahontas County to Taylor County

Pocahontas County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Troy A. McCoy (Phone: 304-799-4445).[1] Dispatch: 304-799-3985.[2]
  • Animal Control: Humane Society of Pocahontas County.8
  • Veterans Services: Served by Elkins or Lewisburg.[9]

Preston County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Scott Spiker (Phone: 304-329-1611).[1] Dispatch: 304-329-0579.[2]
  • Animal Control: Preston County Animal Shelter.8
  • Veterans Services: Clarksburg or Morgantown.[9]

Putnam County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Bobby Eggleton (Phone: 304-586-0256).[1] Dispatch: 304-586-9911.[2]
  • Animal Control: Putnam County Animal Shelter.8
  • Veterans Services: Teays Valley Field Office.[9]

Raleigh County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Frank Priddy (Phone: 304-255-9195).[1] Dispatch: 304-255-0911.[2]
  • Animal Control: Humane Society of Raleigh County.8
  • Veterans Services: Beckley Field Office.[9]

Randolph County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Robert R. (Rob) Elbon, Jr. (Phone: 304-636-2100).[1] Dispatch: 304-636-0483.[2]
  • Animal Control: Randolph County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Elkins Field Office.[9]

Ritchie County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Bryan “B.D.” Davis (Phone: 304-643-2262).[1] Dispatch: 304-659-3770.[2]
  • Animal Control: Ritchie County Humane Society.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Parkersburg.[9]

Roane County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Phillip Dever (Phone: 304-927-2540).[1] Dispatch: 304-927-0911.[13]
  • Animal Control: Roane County Humane Authority.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Spencer Field Office.[9]

Summers County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Justin Faris (Phone: 304-466-7111).[1] Dispatch: 304-466-5613.[2]
  • Animal Control: Animal Control & Welfare Project.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Beckley or Lewisburg.[9]

Taylor County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Randy Durrett (Phone: 304-265-3428).[1] Dispatch: 304-626-4900.[2]
  • Animal Control: Taylor County Dog Warden. Phone: 304-669-6493.[17]
  • Veterans Services: Clarksburg hub.9

Tucker County to Wyoming County

Tucker County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Jacob Kopec (Phone: 304-478-2321).[1] Dispatch: 304-478-3927.[2]
  • Animal Control: Tucker County Animal Shelter. Phone: 304-478-6232.[17]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Elkins.[9]

Tyler County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff R. Dean Pratt (Phone: 304-758-4229).[1] Dispatch: 304-758-4275.[2]
  • Animal Control: Tyler County Sheriff handles calls. Phone: 304-758-4229.[17]
  • Veterans Services: Parkersburg hub.9

Upshur County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Mike Coffman (Phone: 304-472-1180 ext. 126).[1] Dispatch: 304-472-9550.[2]
  • Animal Control: Lewis-Upshur Animal Control Facility (Buckhannon). Phone: 304-472-3865.[29]
  • Veterans Services: Elkins hub.9

Wayne County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Charles E. “Eddie” Bradshaw, Jr. (Phone: 304-272-6378).[1] Dispatch: 304-272-6333.[2]
  • Animal Control: Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter. Phone: 304-696-5551.[17]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Huntington.[9]

Webster County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Richard “Rick” Clayton (Phone: 304-842-2006).[1] Dispatch: 304-847-2122.[2]
  • Animal Control: Sheriff is default. Phone: 304-842-2006.[17]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Summersville.[9]

Wetzel County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Eric M. Daugherty (Phone: 304-455-8228).[1] Dispatch: 304-455-6960.[2]
  • Animal Control: Wetzel County Animal Shelter.8
  • Veterans Services: New Martinsville Field Office.[9]

Wirt County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Mike McFee (Phone: 304-275-4222).[1] Dispatch: 304-420-0911 (Shared with Wood).2
  • Animal Control: Wirt County Commission.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Served by Parkersburg.[9]

Wood County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Rick Woodyard (Phone: 304-424-0197).[1] Dispatch: 304-420-0911.[2]
  • Animal Control: Humane Society of Parkersburg.[5]
  • Veterans Services: Parkersburg Field Office.[9]

Wyoming County.

  • Law Enforcement: Sheriff Brad Ellison (Phone: 304-732-8000 ext. 304).[1] Dispatch: 304-732-6953.[2]
  • Animal Control: Wyoming County Paw Patrol.[8]
  • Veterans Services: Beckley/Princeton hubs.[9]

5. Technical Implementation: Database Schema & Ingestion

The final phase of this research operationalizes the data into the SQLite environment mandated by the synthesized solution.

5.1 SQLite Schema Design

The agencies table will be the core repository.

CREATE TABLE agencies (  
    id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,  
    county_id INTEGER NOT NULL,  
    category TEXT CHECK(category IN ('VSO', 'SHERIFF', 'ANIMAL_CONTROL')) NOT NULL,  
    official_name TEXT,  
    agency_name TEXT NOT NULL,  
    phone_primary TEXT NOT NULL,  
    phone_dispatch TEXT,  
    address TEXT,  
    url TEXT,  
    is_grantee BOOLEAN DEFAULT 0,  
    FOREIGN KEY(county_id) REFERENCES counties(id)  
);

5.2 Python Ingestion Logic

The ingestion script must handle the “Default to Sheriff” logic for Animal Control in rural counties (e.g., Calhoun, Clay).

  • Logic: If county not found in specific agency list, then INSERT INTO agencies using Sheriff’s phone number with agency_name = ‘County Sheriff (Default Animal Control)’.
  • Grantee Flag: The script should cross-reference the agency_name against the “2023-2024 Spay Neuter Grantee List”.8 If a match is found, set is_grantee = 1. This flag can be used in the UI to highlight “Verified Active” partners.

This report confirms that while the data landscape is fragmented, it is conquerable. By treating the Sheriff as the stable backbone and the Grantee list as the active verification layer for Animal Control, the West Virginia Civic Resource Engine can launch with high-confidence data for all 55 counties.

Works cited

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  2. Non-Emergency Contact Information - WV Emergency Management, accessed January 5, 2026, https://emd.wv.gov/About/SiteAssets/WV%20County%20911%20Non-Emergency%20Contact%20Numbers.pdf
  3. Canine Adoption Center - Monongalia County, WV, accessed January 5, 2026, https://www.monongaliacounty.gov/departments/canine_adoption_center/staff.php
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