Veterinarian among those confronting council about animal shelter
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Staff Writer larry@gaffneyledger.com

Local veterinarian Dr. Hillary Moore has soured on assurances from government officials that they would address concerns at the animal shelter.

So, she pointedly asked Cherokee County Public Works Committee Chairman Bailey Humphries during Thursday's emergency call meeting, "This time will there be changes made?"

Humphries responded, "We will do what state law says."

Frustrated animal rights activists met Thursday with the public works committee, asking county officials to comply with state euthanasia laws.

The meeting was prompted when the activists told county council members on Monday the county was in violation of state law by failing

to tranquilize the animals before euthanizing them by a method known as "heart sticks."

As a result of Monday's appearance, council agreed to hire local veterinarians to euthanize the animals.

The county, on average, performs 35 to 50 euthanizations each month, Cherokee County Assistant Administrator Holland Belue said.

Belue also reported that $15 was the lowest price for a veterinarian to perform the euthanizations.

Cherokee County Interim Administrator Ben Clary said, because of varying workloads and availability, the county will contract with a variety of veterinarians to perform the euthanizations.

Humphries invited Spartanburg County Humane Society Executive Director Sandy Christianson to comment on his group's procedures for euthanizing animals. He said state law requires the animals to be presedated before the heart stick procedure.

Humphries told the activists the county would like to assist them in their adoption efforts.

Several of the activists offered suggestions to curb the number of euthanizations, such as the need to adopt licensing laws and the development of policies for the animal control officers.

Andrea Gilfillan of Saving Gaffney Pets also stressed the need for a separate area to perform the euthanizations.

Moore also chided county animal control officers for failing to use a scanner to identify animals with microchips.

Humphries said the meeting was beneficial.

"Anytime you get input and some fresh ideas, it's good," he said. "They brought forward a problem."