By Bert Hayes

Staff Writer

bhayes@gulfcoastnewspapers.com

Former Orange Beach policeman Josh Dean has been hired as a conservation officer to respond to a broad range of issues relating to animal control (domestic and feral) and wildlife rescue.

He will also be active in conservation projects and wildlife control.

Dean, known locally as a weight-lifting champion, will also be active in conservation projects and wildlife control. 

None are happier about this than city Councilwoman Tracy Holliday who has pushed for such a position for some time and Phillip West, coastal resources manager. Holliday says that formerly disappointed citizens now are beginning to call again for help and to report incidents that they had given up on before now that personnel has been provided.

Holliday and West look forward to a fully developed program which will care for wounded animals and in general show a comprehensive approach to the care of domestic and wild life. 

The conservation officer responds to complaints of animal cruelty, dogs at large, dogs and animal bites and nuisance calls and complaints. He also responds to wildlife emergency calls, such as bird entanglements or other instances where injured or orphaned wildlife is encountered. Dean has already responded to incidents of this nature and has saved two orphaned grey fox pups as well as rescuing a blue heron. 

West echoes and puts substance to the dream of a development of a comprehensive facility to accommodate short to medium term wildlife rehabilitation, as well as provide shelter services for domestic animals. 

The backcountry trails, the shorelines and the forests have an abundance of wildlife and West is pleased that the city has chosen to address the issues based on these resources and has chosen to create an environment for citizens, domestic pets and wildlife.

Champion weightlifter Josh Dean falls naturally into this role. He grew up in Lauderdale County, which joins Tennessee on the north and the Tennessee River on the south and west (the river runs west, then north). He hiked the hills and swam in the creeks and lakes, collected wild pets from squirrels to deer, planted gardens and contended with deer and groundhogs which loved the gardens. His parents and grandparents had an influential work ethic and said, “Jason, pursue a formal education as well as learning the woods and the streams.” 

From the little town of Center Star, he went to high school in Lauderdale County, studied hard while managing to play center, nose guard and defensive end on the football team, graduated and went to NW Shoals Community College. From there he attended the University of North Alabama (UNA) and earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. 

Dean went to Montgomery to the police academy and in 2003 found Orange Beach and served on the police force. As suggested by parents and grandparents, he continues to study and is working online toward a master’s degree in criminal investigation. Everything he needs is in Orange Beach, and Orange Beach needs Dean.

None are happier about this than city Councilwoman Tracy Holliday who has pushed for such a position for some time and Phillip West, coastal resources manager. Holliday says that formerly disappointed citizens now are beginning to call again for help, and to report incidents that they had given up on before now that personnel has been provided.

Holliday and West look forward to a fully developed program which will care for wounded animals and in general show a comprehensive approach to the care of domestic and wild life.