Animal control officers of from Gloucester, Mathews and Middlesex counties were recognized with a luncheon in their honor celebrating National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week.

The luncheon, held on May 3 at Whitcomb Lodge in Beaverdam Park, was hosted by the Animal Care Society, Animal Resource Foundation, Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, and Middlesex Pet Friends for Life.

In addition to enforcing the animal laws pertaining to licensing and running at large in leash law areas, the officers enforce the animal neglect and cruelty laws. Lost, abandoned and owner-surrendered dogs are housed in the local shelters. In 2016, more than 1,200 homeless dogs were sheltered at the three Middle Peninsula shelters—Gloucester County shelter, GMHS (which also serves as the Mathews County shelter), and Middlesex County shelter—and only 2 percent of those dogs were euthanized, and always due to untreatable terminal illness or severe aggression, a release from ARF said.

Over 1,...