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Public urges stable staffing as Spencer County weighs land for animal shelter
Summary
Public advocates and shelter volunteers pressed Spencer County Fiscal Court to secure long-term staff and consider county-owned land for a new animal shelter after two recent resignations and a high-profile 111-dog rescue; no binding decision on land or staffing was made.
Representatives of Friends of the Spencer County Animal Shelter and an animal-welfare volunteer told the Spencer County Fiscal Court on Jan. 18 that recent resignations have left Animal Control short‑staffed and vulnerable.
"It kind of looked like Spencer County needed rescuing themselves," said Mychell Lawson of Kentucky Animal Action, criticizing turnover after the county's recent 111‑dog Pope case and urging the court to hire staff who can "be there for the long haul." Lawson said volunteers and out‑of‑county rescue groups had done much of the work during the rescue.
At a later agenda item, Friends of the Spencer County Animal Shelter president Jill Steier asked the court whether the group could acquire five acres at the county farm — by sale or donation — to build a shelter there. Steier said the group preferred the county farm to a site behind the Dollar General but acknowledged community concerns about noise and logistics.
Magistrate J. Moody and others flagged practical obstacles. "There are other issues, like sewer," Judge Executive John Riley said, noting that a county farm location might require a lagoon and encounter community opposition, while a downtown site would have sewer access but could raise other concerns. The judge also acknowledged recent resignations, saying he would seek interim coverage: "The only option I had at this point...was to have Randy come in, fill in what gap he could."
No formal motion to donate or sell county land was made; the court did not authorize construction or a transfer at this meeting. Court discussion centered on tradeoffs — proximity to town and schools, buffering to reduce barking, septic vs. sewer access and long‑term staffing needs. The Judge and several magistrates said they wanted the city to participate and emphasized that reliable staffing was the immediate priority.
The issue remains unresolved; Friends of the Shelter said they would continue discussions with county officials. The court said it would consider site options, legal deed restrictions and staffing strategies in future meetings.
