Animal Control Controversy Erupts
Controversy has erupted once again over animal control and the local animal shelter after an incident Sunday at the shelter.
The sheriff’s department is investigating the incident where a resident, a member of the county’s animal control committee, visited the shelter Sunday morning.
(The County Commission established an Animal Control committee earlier this year to look into the operation of the shelter and the state of stray, dangerous and unwanted animals in the county. The committee has begun work, and plans to make a presentation to the commission in August.)
Julia Haar was admitted to the shelter by Jimmy “J.R.” Whitley, a part-time worker there. After he showed her around, she looked in the medicine room, which he had not shown her. Then, Mr. Whitley called the animal control director who apparently called the sheriff’s department to have Ms. Haar removed. Sheriff Charles Roper confirmed his office is investigating the incident.
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(Two letters in this week’s paper, page 5, tell the writer’s views of what is happening at the animal shelter.)
The animal control director is Kellie Bowen and there are currently two part-time employees—Mr. Whitley and Kristy Tribble.
Between the three of them, they are to be sure the animals have food and water each day, and clean out the cages. In addition, the shelter is now getting community service workers to come to the center and help.
Currently there are 15 dogs at the shelter, and more than 20 kittens and cats. Homes are needed for these animals.
Ms. Bowen said that people can volunteer to help and will be put to work answering the phone and doing other office work. Volunteers need to be trained to work with the animals.
Ms. Bowen said the center is open for adoption from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ms. Bowen says she will also meet people for adoptions after hours and on weekends if they make an appointment.
One room at the shelter is used to administer medicines and care for sick or underweight animals. It is also the area where animals are euthanized. There is a freezer there where the bodies are stored, then the crematorium is used when there is enough to warrant cranking it up.
Ms. Bowen said she is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for every other weekend when Ms. Tribble is on call. The animal control director said she generally goes on pick-ups by herself. A representative of The News visited the shelter Tuesday, and Ms. Bowen declined to comment on Sunday’s events.
The center gladly welcomes donations of food, blankets, and other items. For more information, call Ms. Bowen at the shelter, 706-468-0396.
The Animal Control committee meets today, June 28, at 6:30 p.m. at the Commission meeting room on the ground floor of the Courthouse. Interested persons are invited to attend.
The News welcomes reports from other Jasperites who have had positive or negative encounters with animal control. Call us, 706-468-6511, or e-mail editor@themonticellonews.com, or contact your commissioner.
