Parish animal services gets interim director

Bush resident Melisa Sullivan-Piwetz was appointed Tuesday as interim director for the parish Department of Animal Services, a seat vacated since January when longtime director Brent Robbins took a job with the Agriculture and Forestry Commission.

Sullivan-Piwetz, a six-year veteran of the department who served as assistant director, said she's pleased with the appointment by Parish President Kevin Davis.

"I hope to continue to expand the department and provide the highest level of service to the residents of St. Tammany Parish," she said in a press release.

The parish has not received any other applications for the position, said Suzanne Parsons Stymiest. It was unclear if and when the parish intends to advertise for the slot with a salary ranging from $59,650 to $76,264, depending on qualifications

Sullivan-Piwetz, a veterinary technician for nine years before joining the parish animal shelter staff, holds the highest level of certification for both the National Animal Control Association and the Association of Certified Cruelty Investigators. She's also served on the Board of Directors for the National Animal Control Association.

Alongside her former boss Robbins, Sullivan was instrumental in the seizure and later caretaking of 119 malnourished and disease-ridden dogs discovered in a Lacombe home in the spring 2004.

The discovery shocked the parish after it was revealed the dogs wallowed in urine and feces, some lying dead while others ate them.

Sullivan gave passionate pleas to media and interested adoption parties touring the parish animal shelter as the dogs cowered in cages when a human approached.

"I am extremely pleased to have someone with Melisa's experience," Davis said. "She knows the operations of the department from top to bottom, and brings both knowledge and professionalism to Animal Services."

Sullivan-Piwetz is temporarily replacing Robbins, a veterinarian from Folsom who served as the parish's animal shelter director since February 2002 and spearheaded construction of a new animal shelter scheduled to open in the next year.

Robbins was tapped by Agricultural and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain to serve as one of Strain's five statewide assistant commissioners.