Indian River County is losing one of its most well-known reptile wranglers with the retirement of Bruce Dangerfield, for 17 years the Vero Beach Police Department’s top animal control officer.
Dangerfield was feted last Saturday night at the Vero Social Club with a traditional shrimp boil attended by roughly 250 friends, family and co-workers, who shared countless humorous stories about the “snake man.”
A repeating slide show featured Dangerfield – notoriously fearless in encounters with a variety of venomous snakes, dangerous reptiles, feral and invasive animals – photographed with just some of the animals he has either rescued or captured throughout his career. He has also cared for abused or neglected animals, and helped educate the public about the wildlife around us.
Born in South Carolina, Dangerfield has lived in Vero Beach since he was 11 and graduated from Vero Beach High School. He worked for 20 years at Piper Aircraft and another 10 in the citrus industry before the city offered him the animal control position.
“My sister told me the job was perfect for me because I have loved being around animals my whole life,” said Dangerfield. “The part about my job I am going to really miss is saving animals from cruelty situations. We got a lot of calls on people who just don’t take care of their animals.”
Dangerfield has worked closely with the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County as a volunteer in their animal outreach programs and with the rescue of countless animals from hoarding or mistreatment.
“I was the cruelty investigator with the Humane Society and worked with Bruce,” said Ilke Daniel, HSVBIRC director of animal protection services. “He is one of the most compassionate animal control officers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He realizes that animal problems are people problems too, and his compassion and care for both is just overwhelming.”
“Bruce has been great,” said VBPD Police Chief David Currey. “He has more knowledge about animals than any person I have ever met. We would let him talk at any school or venue about animals to help educate the public. His service is so vital and the citizens expect the service he provided. He is already missed.”
Son David Dangerfield, a battalion chief with Indian River County Fire Rescue, said his father loved the job so much that he never imagined he would retire.
“I think he will still work with the Humane Society,” said David Dangerfield, busy cooking in the kitchen alongside his own sons, Christopher and Bryce, who have helped their grandfather with lectures at the Humane Society.
When asked what he planned to do now that he would have more time on his hands, Bruce Dangerfield replied with a grin, “Anything I want. I am 73 years old and am ready to relax.”
Wife Loretta, when asked if she would be glad to finally have her husband at home, laughed and said with a twinkle in her eye, “Are you crazy? What woman wants a man around and underfoot 24/7?”
Dangerfield feels confident that Scott Lee, who has worked in animal control alongside him for quite some time, is ready to take over his position as the new “possum cop.”
