Former animal services worker tells Duplin County commissioners a state probe found 12 violations, urges reforms

Hope Tucker, a former employee of Duplin County Animal Services, told the county board on Jan. 5 that a third state investigation into the agency concluded Nov. 17, 2025, documenting 12 violations and confirming concerns she and others have raised.

"The findings, 12 documented violations, made it undeniably clear that the concerns raised by myself and many others were not speculation," Tucker said during the public-comment portion of the meeting. She said public-facing information such as behavioral assessments and adoption materials had been removed and that communication channels had gone unanswered, which she described as eroding public trust.

Tucker framed her remarks as a call for "transparency, honesty, and reform," saying the goal is improved welfare for animals and restored public confidence. "This is not about one individual alone," she said. "Systems fail when silence is protected, when misconduct is concealed, and when accountability is avoided to preserve titles, alliances, or reputations."

The board did not take formal action on Tucker's statements during the meeting, and no county response or staff presentation addressing the specific allegations appears in the public record for this session. Tucker said she would continue to press for accountability and described the situation as requiring "decisive action."

What happened next: The board entered a closed session later in the meeting, citing legal and personnel statutes, but the public record at this meeting does not show any vote, directive, or specific timeline for review of the animal-services allegations.

Why it matters: Allegations of multiple statutory or operational violations at an animal-services agency can affect animal welfare, public trust and potential liability. Tucker's remarks put pressure on county leaders to clarify oversight, corrective steps and timelines if they plan to respond.

What the transcript documents: Tucker alleged a state probe concluded on 11/17/2025 with 12 documented violations and described subsequent reductions in public-facing information and communication. The meeting transcript does not include a staff response, a formal investigation update from county officials, or a board motion addressing the allegations.

Next steps reported at meeting: None specified in the public session; Tucker said she and others will continue to demand transparency.