David Bernal completes state-certified academy, earns chemical immobilization certification
Newcastle Animal Control Officer David Bernal recently completed two weeks of intensive training to prepare for the toughest calls on the job. Bernal graduated from The Oklahoma Animal Control Association’s Fall Academy (TOACA), an 80-hour course approved by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET).
“I am excited for David to continue to grow in this field and his career,” said Justine Petalcu, Newcastle’s director of Animal Control. “The training covered animal handling, tranquilizer use, state laws, snake safety, disaster response and much more.”
The academy goes far beyond classroom lessons. Officers practice safe capture and restraint, study rabies and zoonotic diseases, and learn how to testify in court. Training also covers shelter management, cruelty investigations, and disaster response, giving graduates tools to handle emergencies large and small.
Bernal also earned a separate certification in chemical immobilization, which qualifies him to use tranquilizer equipment safely when animals cannot be captured by other means. Both certificates are CLEET accredited, which underscores the high level of professionalism expected of Newcastle’s animal control officers.
For Newcastle, that means better protection for residents and stronger care for animals. Whether it is an aggressive dog threatening a neighborhood, a venomous snake near a playground, or pets trapped after a storm, Bernal is now equipped with state-recognized training to respond quickly and safely.
Newcastle’s animal shelter is staffed with three full-time officers, a commitment that helps ensure consistent, quality care for animals until adoption. Adoptable animals are viewable on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/cityofnewcastleanimalcontrol.
