The Limestone County Commission was faced with a flood of concerned citizens on Tuesday, Sept. 3, as local residents and animal advocates questioned a 14-day animal holding clause that threatened the possible euthanization of shelter animals.
The wave of opposition, which featured veterinarians and animal rescue group organizers, came after the commission’s bid proposal for a new animal shelter revealed the 14-day holding law that sparked widespread debates on the issue.
“This is a passionate issue, but it is also a much-needed issue,” Commission Chairman Collin Daly told The News Courier. “We were paying around $550,000 a year, and then the new contract came in at around $900,000 a year. As a steward of the taxpayers money, we just have to figure out which way we want to go forward. We want to work with every rescue, but the confusion is around the state law, not our law.”
During the work session, animal advocates emotionally presented their stories of the work they have done for local animal shelters. Many speakers were brought to tears during their time on the floor, while rounds of applause echoed in the commission’s chamber from the droves of supporters that packed the room.
Dr. Elisabeth O’Connor, owner and veterinarian of the Limestone Veterinary Clinic, was one of those many supporters who attended the meeting at the Clinton Street Courthouse Annex.
“The average length of stay in the animal shelter is 14 days, but 32 percent of animals stay longer than that,” O’Connor said. “If you are to say animals couldn’t stay longer than 14 days then you’d have to euthanize 32 percent of animals in the shelter.”
O’Connor mentioned that the commission has revised that clause, as they are not mandating the euthanization of the pets, but rather cutting their funds to the contractor after the 14 days. The 14-day benchmark comes from the state, according to Daly.
“There’s always concern about how to spend the county’s money, I get that,” O’Connor said. “But, these animals didn’t choose to be in an animal shelter. We did this as a community, so the community needs to come together to take care of these animals. My biggest concern is the animals aren’t going to get the vet care they deserve.”
The Limestone Veterinary Clinic was previously under contract with the commission as their county shelter, but according to O’Connor, that contract will end on Oct. 1 with the turn to the new fiscal year.
“Those animals will have to be transported to whatever facilities they are deeming appropriate,” O’Connor said. “So, I would say to all of our county people, please come adopt. Please save the animals that we currently have. It’s probably upwards of 150 animals at the animal shelter right now, so I don’t see how they’re going to have enough room for all of those animals.”
Daly said that the bid they have received so far has a high asking price of nearly $1 million each year. He said that would be “ a hard thing” to ask of the county’s taxpayers.
“The county’s contract with the animal shelter is $550,000 per year,” Danny Barksdale stated on his District 2 Commissioner Facebook page. “The current provider is wanting an increase to $900,000, with 10 percent increases per year.”
Limestone County Attorney Drew Dill said the quest for proposals for the county have been deemed “non-conforming.” The commission did not award an animal pound contract at their meeting, which followed the work session on Monday, but they did agree to a one-year, plus two six month lease obtaining process as the county moves forward.
“Currently, the plan is to start an animal pound ourselves,” Dill said. “The concern over the 14 days is by people who are concerned with animal welfare, and that’s understandable. I assure you, no one in the county likes the idea of euthanizing animals.”