Under the sun

HE IS:

Getting out of the office.

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Animal Services Officer Dave Pietarila walks out to his truck at

the beginning of each shift feeling like one lucky man.

“I worked for 15 years in one room,” he said of his days as

veterinary technician. “I didn’t realize how much it bothered me

until I left. Now, I realize how much I enjoy being outside.”

Seven months ago, Pietarila switched careers and went through an

animal services academy in Kansas City before he hit the streets of

Laguna.

“I like the fact that I work for a very good agency and shelter

that serves the animals’ interests,” he said.

KEEPING UP WITH LOCAL WILDLIFE

Pietarila is one of three animal service officers who respond to

service calls about barking dogs, birds trapped in homes, runaway

fire goats, injured deer or coyote and his own personal nightmare,

bees.

As fate would have it, Pietarila’s very first call involved a

swarm of bees that had been evicted from their hive by a fire truck

that hit a tree branch.

Determined to overcome his anxiety, Pietarila arrived at the

scene, where the telltale swirling black cloud had moved to a

chimney. A bee expert did the rest.

HELPING PEOPLE BECOME BETTER OWNERS

The key to dealing with the unpredictable nature of his “clients”

is staying calm, a lesson he learned at the animal hospital. He could

recall incidents when pet owners would run in carrying their broken

and bloody dogs or cats, desperate for help.

“You learn how to pretend to be calm,” he said. “You learn to act

like you do this on a daily basis.”

One of the biggest challenges he faces are the people, rather than

the pets. He bristled as he repeated some of the excuses he gets from

people who let their dogs run off the leash or let their cats roam

outdoors.

“Ninety percent of my job is making sure people are responsible

for their pets and are courteous to their neighbors,” he said.

-- Story by Mary A. Castillo