News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Employees of the Dekalb County Animal Shelter want a decision on how service can be provided to both Smithville and the county.
Director Megan Moore said previously, the shelter worked in both areas. Then, Smithville Board of Alderman limited service to the city limits. The action was taken following an October work session with the Dekalb Animal Coalition.
Moore said this has left Dekalb County without a means of animal control.
“We don’t choose a side,” Moore said. “We are not choosing city, the county or coalition. We actually choose the shelter, because that is where our passion is, where are goals are. Our animals come first and unfortunately, they are wrapped up in legalities and contracts and politics at the moment.”
Moore said staffing and funding to expand services are two issues the shelter wants addressed. A workshop is expected to take place to discuss these wishes, but an alderman being quarantined has delayed the schedule.
“Some of the things that we have mentioned in a city meeting in the past is maintain suitable office hours that comes with additional staffing,” Moore said. “That we can provide more animal control services. (…) Also, that we are hoping to more fairly distribute financial responsibility and staffing based on who uses our facilities and services.”
Right now, the shelter only conducts emergency responses with a total of three people on staff. Moore said the shelter responds to bite cases, aggressive animals or welfare cases.
“All of us are focused on the animals, and we are going to fight for what we need to be more successful in our community,” Moore said. “And be able to be a more valuable resource for everybody, and we want to focus on making a difference.”
Moore said employees of the shelter will act as mediators between the city, county and Dekalb County Animal Coalition if a meeting occurs.
