Residents, advocates urge Sumner County to move animal control out of sheriff—s office, propose professional shelter management

At the Feb. 3 Sumner County Commission meeting, residents and animal-welfare advocates urged the county to move animal control out of the sheriff—s office and into a professionally managed, standalone animal-services operation, citing safety, funding and operational concerns.

Kathy Arlen, a Sumner County resident, told commissioners she met with Sheriff Jared Craddock earlier in the month and called the meeting "very constructive." Arlen said she has seen improvements but raised specific problems with how the county posts intake information on social media and with the shelter—s ability to accept neonatal animals. "These kittens cannot be lost or missed by their odor," Arlen said, arguing that intake posts should include dates, circumstances and requests for volunteers or fosters so rescues can…