Animal Care and Control director on leave amid investigation

Director of Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Dennis Papenmeier is on administrative leave indefinitely amid an internal investigation, but officials would not say what instigated the probe.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Al Larsen confirmed Papenmeier was placed on leave Thursday, but declined to comment further on the circumstances, or say whether the leave is paid or unpaid.

The leave marks another upheaval in a string of leadership changes for the department in the past decade.

Papenmeier has only held the position for about four months, since the city in December tapped him as the department's 11th leader in 12th years, the Indianapolis Star has reported.

Larsen said the Department of Public Safety would absorb Papenmeier's duties until the investigation is concluded.

An employee of the city for about 20 years, Papenmeier most recently had served as a special projects manager at the Department of Code Enforcement before he moved to the IACC.

Papenmeier replaced Dan Shackle, who resigned from the role early in 2014.

A city task force released a report in 2014 that recommended changes to the department, which is underfunded, and has faced problems addressing the city's animal needs.

Star reporter Brian Eason contributed to this article. Call Star reporter Madeline Buckley at (317) 444-6083. Follow her on Twitter: @Mabuckley88.