Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners and chair defend animal-control staff after public comment about 27 cats; board reiterates support for new shelter
Summary
After a public comment said 27 cats were euthanized in one day, the Ashe County board chairman explained July 7 that more than 30 animals had been surrendered, some already dead, and that remaining animals were feral and seriously ill, creating an infection risk to other shelter animals.
During public comment at its July 7 meeting, a community member told the board that 27 cats had been euthanized in a single day. The board’s chair provided a detailed explanation to the public and defended animal-control staff, saying the number reported in public comment was technically accurate but lacked crucial context.
The chairman said animal-control staff had worked with a reluctant citizen who initially indicated they would surrender about five to ten animals but ultimately arrived with at least 30 cats and kittens; some animals were already deceased inside the carrier. “The 27 that remained were wild, feral, extremely ill and suffering from respiratory infections and unfortunately near death themselves,” the chairman said. He added admitting the animals to the shelter would have put healthy and adoptable animals at serious risk, and staff “were forced to make a heartbreaking but necessary decision.”
The chairman asked the public to consider that the outcome could not have been prevented by staff and thanked animal-control employees and volunteers for their work. He also told the board that members remain unanimous in their support for a new, improved animal shelter and reiterated the county’s commitment to spay and neuter outreach as a preventive measure.
The chair said county attorneys are engaged on an unrelated pool-roof legal matter raised during the meeting and declined further comment pending counsel’s input.
The board did not take formal action at the meeting on animal-control policy changes but emphasized support for staff and the goal of improved shelter facilities.
