Lee County opens investigation after shelter euthanizes cat within two hours of intake

Lee County commissioners said staff have opened a review of Lee County Domestic Animal Services (LCDAS) procedures after a resident said her cat, Kevin, was euthanized roughly 1 hour and 54 minutes after being brought to the shelter on May 15.

The review is intended to determine whether procedures and decisions complied with county policy and state law and to recommend changes if needed. "Under the direction of the County Manager staff are actively investigating the incident," County staff said at the May 20 meeting.

The complaint came during public comment from Angela Tardif, who said a neighbor delivered Kevin to LCDAS at 8:36 a.m. on May 15 and that the cat was euthanized at 10:30 a.m. that same morning. "He was euthanized, that's 1 hour and 54 minutes later," Tardif told the board. She said she was not notified, no photo or public notice was posted and that the shelter did not observe a stray hold period referenced in state statute 823.151.

Multiple speakers at the meeting called for a formal review of LCDAS practices. Resident Linda Shellmire said veterinary decisions had been made by kennel staff and urged the county to provide public records and revise ordinances. "This ordinance needs to be changed immediately," she told commissioners.

County staff acknowledged the broader operational pressures on the shelter and described steps already taken to reduce future incidents. Staff said Lee County took in roughly 700 cats in May and that the shelter's annual average intake is about 20 cats per day. Today the shelter had about 130 cats in care and an additional 126 cats in foster homes, staff said.

Staff further told the board that current county ordinance requires a five-day hold only for animals that are licensed or microchipped; the ordinance does not impose a mandatory hold for cats that are neither chipped nor licensed. Staff said they are prioritizing a review of that ordinance language as part of the investigation and are promoting microchipping and free or reduced-cost events to increase licensure and identification.

County staff urged owners to microchip, license, spay or neuter pets and consider fostering or adopting to relieve overcrowding at LCDAS. "We have an opportunity here to examine how animals are evaluated when they come into our shelter and ensure the process is thorough and decisions are made with sound judgment," the county said in the public briefing.

The board did not take formal action at the meeting; staff said findings and recommendations will be presented to commissioners after the internal review. Several public commenters asked commissioners to make records available and to revise county policy to increase stray holding and posting requirements.

The county manager’s office and LCDAS staff said they will meet with the family who brought the complaint to discuss next steps and public-record access.

Ending: The county has launched a formal review and signaled it will return to the board with findings and, if warranted, policy or ordinance changes. Residents seeking help or wishing to report missing pets were directed by staff to LCDAS for assistance and to inquire about microchipping and adopt/foster programs.