Sheriff: backlog of cruelty cases has created heavy animal‑care costs; commissioners reallocate $10,000 to local rescue

DeKalb County’s sheriff and animal control officer told commissioners March 16 that decades of unaddressed animal‑control cases have produced a backlog and significant shelter costs, and the board voted to redirect funds to keep local rescues accepting impounded animals.

Sheriff Brady Thomas said the county contracted with Shatiroba (a local rescue) to provide impound and care services under an agreement that allows invoicing up to $10,000. "Shatiroba has already invoiced the county $9,200," Thomas said. He and animal control officer Erica Hedge described dozens of hoarding and cruelty investigations since June, with Hedge’s work resulting in more than 100 incidents handled and 261 animals impounded so far.

The board learned that typical invoicing under the contract is $200 per dog, $100 per cat and $600 per horse. Commissioners moved and approved shifting the $10,000 previously allocated to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control to Shatiroba so the rescue can continue to accept animals; the motion carried 3–0.

Discussion included whether restitution from criminal cases can reimburse rescues (county staff noted restitution is possible but rare in practice) and whether the county needs to budget ongoing support if the volume remains high. Sheriff Thomas and others warned the reallocation is likely a temporary fix and that county funding needs will increase if the animal‑control workload continues to grow.

Article provenance: sheriff and animal control presentation, cost details and the motion to move funds to Shatiroba in the commissioners meeting.