Kendall County Board Hires Two Animal Control Administrators

has a new top dog.

Anna Payton, of Plainfield, worked for three years at the DuPage County Animal Care & Control, taught animal science classes at the University of Illinois and has volunteered with multiple animal rescues and similar organizations. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.

County board members voted Tuesday to hire Payton as animal control warden at a salary of $40,000, which is a little higher than the $37,000 former warden Chrstine Johnson made. Payton starts Nov. 1.

Laura Pawson, who was hired as a part-time aide and desk worker in April, will serve as assistant warden for $33,000 a year. She’ll be since May 2010; the last assistant warden was paid $28,591.

The duo replaces Johnson, after acknowledging she euthanized the wrong dog in the wake of a child being bitten at the facility.

Johnson initially told county leaders and the public the dog had been killed, when he really had been adopted to a family. That dog was surrendered and destroyed after biting one of the family’s neighbors, and after the discrepancy was publicized.

Four county leaders interviewed seven candidates for the warden position – and agreed on Payton as their top choice, County Board Chairman John Purcell said.

“She conducted herself very well in the interview,” Purcell said, adding he was impressed with her background and broad contacts with animal advocates.

Outside Tuesday’s County Board meeting, Payton said she was excited for the new challenge. Her first tasks? Reviewing Animal Control's procedures and ensuring the staff is properly trained.

“That’s going to be my priority going in, making sure the facility is safe and the community is safe,” Payton said.

She also encouraged the public to remain supportive and patient in the wake of the July 3 dog-bite incident.

“We need the positive energy and the positive attitude toward the agency to make it work,” she said.