Finally-Fischer Boots Zelinsky at Animal Services

Just in — Mayor Greg Fischer has replaced Wayne Zelinsky at the troubled Animal Services department. It’s long overdue. Here’s what the Mayor’s Office just released:

Debbie Fox takes over at Metro Animal Services

LOUISVILLE (Feb. 2, 2011) – Mayor Greg Fischer today named Debbie Fox as the new interim leader of Metro Animal Services, following the resignation of Director Wayne Zelinsky.

Fox, currently Deputy Director of MetroSafe, will oversee animal control for the city while the Fischer administration conducts a national search for a new full-time director and completes a top-to-bottom review of Animal Services.

Fox will remain in the new role until April, when Fischer plans to name a permanent director for Animal Services. She was named Communications Center Director of Year in 2010 by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials.

“Debbie is a solid leader who has been nationally recognized and has a proven track record in customer service,” Fischer said. “I’m confident that she will effectively manage Animal Services during this transition period.”

Last month, Fischer named a committee to audit Animal Services and a separate committee to search for a new leader. The review and search are being overseen by Sadiqa Reynolds, Chief of Community Building for the city. Applications for the Director of Animal Services are being accepted until Feb. 14.

Zelinsky submitted his resignation, effective immediately, this morning.

Debbie Fox began her career in Communications in May, 1982 with Jefferson County Police as a radio dispatcher.  She was promoted to Supervisor in 1987 and again in 1990 when she became Administrative Services Manager for Jefferson County Police in charge of Communications, Records, Property, Photo Lab, and Community Services.

In January 2003, the City of Louisville and Jefferson County merged and Ms. Fox was then promoted to Administrator of Police Technical Services for the newly formed Louisville Metro Police Department.

In April, 2005, Ms. Fox realized a career-long dream by being appointed Deputy Director of MetroSafe, a stand-alone consolidated communication center serving the 900,000 plus citizens of Metro Louisville. MetroSafe is the primary public safety answering point for Louisville Metro providing 911 emergency and non-emergency call handling.  She is married to a Lieutenant in the Louisville Metro Police Department and has one daughter.