Long Beach Animal Control Officer (ACO) Quentin Denney is no stranger to a busy schedule. Still relatively new to law enforcement, he celebrated his one-year anniversary with the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) in January. While striving to reunite lost pets with their families and managing the animal care facility at the LBPD, he is also educating the public about wildlife and pet safety, while enforcing laws for animal welfare.
A life-long animal lover, Denney says he often hid various creatures in his room during childhood.
“I can’t remember a time I wasn’t sharing space with an animal - or five.” said Denney.
He moved to Long Beach with his parents in 1978, where he later graduated high school, before pursuing a higher education at New York University, where he studied zoology and biomed. He resided in New York and Washington, D.C. for approximately fifteen years combined, before returning home to settle on the Mississippi coast.
Although his concern for wildlife and animal welfare remained unwavering, Denney found himself working in an entirely different industry. After owning local businesses, including a yogurt shop, a tech gadget repair shop and a consulting agency, his career began to focus on technology within the legal field. When LBPD’s previous ACO Kerry Hall announced his retirement, Denney decided to prioritize his dedication to animals, focusing his career on the field he is most enthusiastic about.
From the high of reuniting a lost pet with its family, to the low of notifying someone of a pet that has passed away, ACO Denney says he faces no shortage of ups and downs in his field.
“A rewarding sense of service, education and protection for all animals in our city wraps each day up on a positive note. I love this community and I feel privileged to serve it.” said Denney.
“I developed the ‘Three Es of Animal Coexistence: Engage, Educate, and Enforce,’” continues Denney. “My goals are to speak with anyone willing to listen about pet keeping, animal husbandry, dietary and wellness of pet keeping and coexistence planning with our wildlife. The LBPD animal facility is a huge step in making that whole chain of pet keeping complete. I can reunite, rehab and rehome animals in Long Beach that would otherwise go to the humane society or another shelter. Thanks to a massive support team of volunteers, we make this happen daily.”
Denney also created the “Pet Map” project, with a goal of reuniting pets to their loved ones quicker. Residents can have information about their pets, such as photos, descriptions and medical history, added to a text-searchable map of the city. The map uses a tagging system that allows residents to search for colors, breeds and addresses based on a Google map platform.
Denney is also developing a “Free Microchip” program for Long Beach residents, in hopes of a faster reunion of lost pets. By educating the public and working on animal welfare projects, Denney says he strives to make an impact on Long Beach residents and the animals that share the city.
Denney currently shares his home with four dogs: Molly, Luna, Hope and Rupert, while simultaneously working as a rehab specialist, caring for various wildlife species. He enjoys spending his free time fly-fishing, camping, hiking, exploring the wilderness and animal keeping.
Q & A:
Q: What is your favorite animal?
A: That’s a tough choice between dogs, coyotes, sharks, bears or Komodo Dragons. These animals are intelligent, cunning, survivors, predators, and they fascinate me.
Q: If you could meet any public figure, dead or alive, who would you choose?
A: Dr. Jane Goodall. Her passion, compassion, and research into primates is astounding. She leveled up what research should look like and how it should be conducted.
Q: What advice would you give the community regarding wildlife and pet safety?
A:
1) Do not use a collar for unsupervised animals or groups of active, playful pets. The risk of breaking a jaw, teeth or strangling is too great.
2) Stay current on vaccinations and health checks, and feed your pets a quality diet.
3) Have your pets microchipped, and keep your contact information current.
4) Spay and neuter your pets.
5) Do not feed wildlife you do not own or maintain regularly, and do not handle unknown animals or bring them into your home.
6) Keep injured animals away from your pets and children, and never assume that wildlife is sweet and cuddly just because they look to be.
