Residents allege falsified shelter transfers; county launches independent probe and pauses one rescuer

Volunteers, rescue partners and former shelter staff used public comment at the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners meeting on April 14 to present a series of allegations about operations at Alachua County Animal Resources (ACAR).

Pamela Blacetti, who said she compiled a timeline of transfers, alleged that records show dozens of dogs were transferred offsite and not listed as adopted or otherwise accounted for. "These dogs were neither rescued nor released. They were used in the euthanasia classes," Blacetti said, and provided a chronology of purchase orders and transfers she said tied the trainings to a contractor she named in her remarks.

Lynn Moore, a volunteer coordinator who said she works with kennel fostering programs, told the board she believes administrative staff have falsified reports and used unvetted rescues to move dogs off the shelter's books. "Britney and Gina Peebles should be placed on administrative leave or fired during this ongoing investigation," Moore said, repeating requests made by other speakers.

Shelter-data questions were echoed in a presentation of statistics: Chris Deutsch, who said he reviewed euthanasia reports, told the board that "38 dogs have been euthanized under that category from 01/01/2026 through 03/31/2026," and urged a records review to determine whether some entries categorized as owner-requested euthanasia (ORE) were misclassified.

Multiple callers and in-person speakers urged the commission to place supervisory staff on leave while the allegations are investigated and to make shelter records more transparent. Callers said public records responses were inconsistent and incomplete, that transfer paperwork and microchip renewals did not support assertions that dogs were adopted, and that some dogs who left shelters were later unaccounted for.

County response and next steps

County Attorney and county staff explained the public-records process, saying requests are processed by departments and reviewed for exempt information before release. County Manager Michelle Lieberman told the board the county had retained an independent, Florida‑licensed attorney to investigate and said staff had begun immediate procedural changes. "Concern and questions and public scrutiny are absolutely appropriate," Lieberman said. She told commissioners staff had already revised owner‑surrender documentation during the meeting to make euthanasia-related language clearer.

Lieberman also said the county had hired a veterinarian who will start in early May and that the county was in final stages of selecting a new shelter director; two finalists will be on site for interviews with commissioners on April 20 and will meet with advisory groups. She said the sheriff's office had assumed responsibility for criminal animal complaints and the county's oversight of civil shelter matters continues.

Board actions and oversight

Commissioners on the dais repeatedly said they wanted a careful fact‑based process and that, if wrongdoing is substantiated, there will be repercussions. The board directed staff and the independent investigator to gather evidence; staff said the investigator would determine the interview list and scope but that the county would supply relevant records. Commissioners also instructed staff to suspend use of the outside rescue named in public comment (referred to during the meeting as Emerald Shores) at least until the investigation is complete.

What remains unresolved

Speakers asked for answers about the whereabouts of named dogs and for review of apparent spikes in ORE classifications. County staff said the independent investigator will decide which interviews to conduct and that some current employees can be compelled to participate; county leaders said they will continue to provide information "as we are able" while balancing personnel and confidentiality rules.

The board did not take disciplinary action during the meeting; instead commissioners voted unanimously on procedural items and emphasized the need for a careful, evidence‑based investigation. The investigator will determine scope and next steps; staff said they would return with operational and hiring updates as the process continues.