Animal Services Board demands action on staffing and resources amid crisis in Cumberland County

The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on June 16, 2025, where significant concerns regarding animal services and public safety were raised. The meeting featured passionate testimonies from members of the Animal Services Board, highlighting the urgent need for increased staffing and resources to address the challenges faced by animal control officers.

Sandy Reeves, a member of the Animal Services Board, emphasized that Cumberland County has approximately 244,000 pet-owning families, yet the animal services department has not been fully staffed for seven years. With only three animal control officers covering 652 square miles, the strain on these officers is immense. Reeves pointed out that their responsibilities extend beyond simple pet care; they deal with dangerous dog attacks, animal cruelty investigations, and the heartbreaking task of euthanizing healthy animals due to lack of space.

Charlotte Davis, chairperson of the Animal Services Board, echoed these concerns, noting the resignation of the animal services director, Elaine Smith. Davis urged the commissioners to take immediate action on several critical issues, including the construction of an isolation facility for sick animals, which has been delayed despite being approved in the budget. She also highlighted the need for better compensation for animal services officers, who face dangerous and demanding work conditions.

In addition to animal services, the meeting addressed broader community issues, including homelessness and crime. Chilayco Hurst spoke about the increasing number of homeless individuals in the area and called for urgent action to support them. He also raised concerns about crime in Fayetteville, particularly incidents affecting military personnel.

The meeting concluded with no further public comments, but the discussions underscored the pressing need for the county to invest in animal services and address public safety concerns. The board's next steps will be crucial in determining how these issues will be resolved moving forward.