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Judge executive defends Boyd County animal shelter after social-media allegations; public invited to July 8 meeting
Summary
In extended public comment, the judge executive and others responded to social-media allegations about the county animal shelter, defended shelter operations and volunteer involvement, described investments in an $882,000 facility and vet-care spending, and invited concerned residents to discuss issues at the next meeting on July 8.
The judge executive used the public-comment portion of the June 26 meeting to address a wave of social-media allegations about the Boyd County animal shelter, saying the accusations were unfair and that county operations remain focused on animal care and transparency.
The judge executive described recent events: the county built an $882,000 animal-shelter facility, the shelter maintains a high adoption rate (staff reported adoption rates "up over 95%"), volunteers and jail crews help with daily care, and the county previously stopped paying a nonprofit partner’s operational costs (clarifying that some expenses previously charged to the county will no longer be subsidized). He said the county continues to pay veterinary bills (noting prior obligations and citing $210,000 in vet bills as a past figure connected to prior arrangements) and that the shelter handles contagious-disease issues such as parvo.
He disputed specific social-media claims — including a widely circulated video showing kennels and allegations that animals were mistreated — and invited residents to file open-records requests and to come to the next fiscal-court meeting on July 8 for further discussion. The judge executive also asked for civility, noting that some staff and volunteers had received death threats tied to the posts.
Why it matters: the dispute has generated public concern about animal-welfare practices and county stewardship of shelter operations; county leaders provided detailed operational context and invited community engagement to resolve outstanding questions.
Next steps: public invited to the July 8 meeting for further discussion; county staff said they will continue to provide records and to work with volunteers and rescue partners to manage shelter operations.
