Resident presses Hamilton council to investigate animal-shelter overtime and to bring euthanasia decisions to public review

Steve Craig, a Hamilton resident who identified himself during public comment, urged the council on Jan. 20 to investigate animal-shelter management practices after reviewing overtime and double-time records. He said multiple overtime hours were paid to an employee listed as a veterinary technician who, he alleged, did not perform animal-control duties and received pay rates far above attendants: “This has all the marks of taxpayer money being given away as a personal favor,” Craig said.

Craig told the council he reviewed recent payroll and shelter records and said the shelter recorded roughly 290 overtime hours last year, with a large share paid to the employee he criticized. He also said some animals are labeled as unadoptable and remain in cages for months before euthanasia is pursued, and he asked that euthanasia decisions for behavioral issues be brought to the council with documentation so volunteers and the public may comment.

Why it matters: Craig framed the issue as both a budgetary concern and a matter of public trust. Excess overtime and unclear assignment of duties can affect the shelter’s ability to place animals and the township’s operating costs. The speaker asked the council either to require a written explanation or to have the shelter manager appear at a future public meeting to answer questions.

Township officials and counsel responded that allegations raising personnel-performance issues must be handled carefully. The township’s legal advisor cautioned that public discussion of an identified employee’s performance could implicate personnel-rights procedures and recommended following legal safeguards. A township official said the administration takes complaints seriously, will investigate, and can provide information to the council in executive session or at public budget and board-of-health meetings where appropriate.

Craig also proposed a procedural change: that any planned euthanasia for behavioral reasons be placed on the council agenda with evidence that the shelter followed its protocols, including veterinary evaluation and outreach to volunteers and rescue organizations. Council members acknowledged concerns about volunteer notification, the limits of rescue organizations’ capacity, and the difficulty of making certain animals adoptable, but they said they would discuss Craig’s proposal with shelter professionals and consider timing for follow-ups.

What the council said it will do next: Council members agreed to request further detail and an investigation into the overtime and assignment patterns Craig described. The council asked that either a written explanation be provided or that the shelter manager appear at a future meeting (council noted March 10 as a possible date for required appearances). Officials said personnel-discipline information may be confidential, but the administration will look into the payroll and operational questions and report back.

Quotes: “This has all the marks of taxpayer money being given away as a personal favor,” said Steve Craig during public comment. Legal counsel warned, “it could easily sneak into personnel matters,” and urged caution before discussing specific employees in open session. A township official said, “we take any of these complaints…we investigate every single one of them,” and that some details may need to be handled in executive session or through written responses.

Background and context: Speakers discussed the shelter’s documented evaluation process (typically within 3–7 days of intake) and the limits of rescues’ capacity to accept animals with bite histories or behavioral challenges. Volunteers and council members said notification practices have varied and that some outreach happens through private email lists rather than public posts.

Ending: Council members said they would follow up with an investigation of the payroll and assignment issues Craig raised and would coordinate with the shelter director and board-of-health staff on whether the shelter manager should appear at a future meeting or provide a written response. No formal action or vote was taken on Craig’s policy proposal at the Jan. 20 meeting.