DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Animal control in Macon County is undergoing major changes, and residents are asking questions about what the future holds.

Beginning Aug. 1, the Macon County Sheriff's Office will stop managing animal control after nearly 20 years. One of the biggest concerns for residents is who will now handle investigations.

Current Animal Control Administrator Ronald Atkins addressed those concerns.

"The animal control office will continue to enforce county and city ordinances," Atkins said. "The Sheriff's Office had also been conducting misdemeanor investigations within the City of Decatur — that portion will end in August, but the Decatur Police Department will pick that responsibility up."

Atkins wants residents to know that while ownership is changing, the experience will remain the same.

"The same animal control officers are still going to be showing up and enforcing the same ordinances and laws," Atkins said. "The only thing changing is the person at the top."

For more information on the changes, click here. 

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