The Hutchinson Police Department is announcing the selection and appointment of the new Hutchinson Animal Services Director, Richard Havens.

Havens will begin as the newly appointed director on September 30th. Lt. Robert McClarty with the Police Department says. “we are truly looking forward to a highly professional, enthusiastic new director to guide and develop the Animal Services Division for the City of Hutchinson.”

Havens has worked for Sedgwick County for nearly six years, with five years being spent as the Animal Control Supervisor. He graduated with honors from Wichita State University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a major in Criminal Justice.

They says thats Havens has a passion for all animals that runs deep. He became a certified Cruelty Investigator thru the National Cruelty Investigations School accredited by the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2007.

He’s also been very active in the animal welfare and disaster preparedness movement. He is the President of the Kansas Animal Control Association as well as being on the board of directors for the Sedgwick County Animal Response Team and the Kansas State Animal Response Team.