A Macomb County Animal Control employee was suspended Wednesday morning after officials became aware of the worker using inappropriate language on the county’s social media platform, according to the department’s chief.

Animal control Chief Jeff Randazzo said he learned of the vulgar language on the post around 5 a.m. and immediately set disciplinary action into motion by contacting the county’s human resources department.

“I handled it swiftly because I will not tolerate that sort of behavior in my division,” Randazzo said later in the day.

The full-time employee, whose name was not released, was placed on administrative leave.

County officials are in the process of investigating the matter. If the allegations are substantiated, Randazzo said the worker could face “severe consequences” up to and including discharge.

According to a copy of the worker’s online conversation with a member of the public who was complaining about the department’s alleged inaction concerning care for animals. The worker then responded with a vulgarity.

Asked if he was taken aback by the worker’s language, Randazzo said “100% surprised. I was flabbergasted.”

“But I wanted to publicly address this because I will not allow one employee to diminish the great accomplishments we’ve achieved over the last 13 years. I’m proud of the team we have here that works on behalf of the pets and animals, and I don’t want something like this to overshadow all we’ve done,” he said.

The initial person who had the online dispute with the animal control employee was complaining because of an online video that showed a young man walking a dog and kicking the animal. The poster mistakenly believed the incident was in a community under the county’s jurisdiction, but it actually took place in Sterling Heights.

According to Capt. Mario Bastianelli of the Sterling Heights Police Department, the incident took place in August. The video was investigated and the person who was seen kicking the dog was charged and convicted.

Officials said the person who recorded the animal cruelty care said more abuse had taken place before he was able to get his cellphone to tape the incident.

The Macomb County Animal Control services 23 communities, excluding Eastpointe, Mount Clemens, Sterling Heights and Warren, according to Randazzo. Any reports regarding animal welfare in those cities are handled by their respective animal control division\ police departments.

Randazzo said the person seen in this video is not affiliated with nor employed by Macomb County Animal Control.

“We appreciate the community’s concern for animal welfare and encourage everyone to continue to report suspected abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities in their jurisdiction. If you see something, say something,” he said in a news release.

Randazzo said he hopes to provide better public information in 2025 regarding the outcome of animal cruelty cases. Too often, after an arrest is made, pubic interest in the cases wanes, he said. One of things he hopes to accomplish this year is to release information on convictions of animal abusers.

“There is a link to human behavior that if you are going to kick a dog in public, what is going on behind closed doors between parents and children,” Randazzo said. “Studies show a definite link between animal abuse and domestic violence, even serial killers. We see it all the time.”