Animal Shelter Task Force Named

Paducah Mayor Gayle Kaler and McCracken County Judge-Executive Van Newberry have selected 12 citizens to serve on the Paducah-McCracken County Animal Task Force.

The task force will make recommendations on the best plan for animal control and sheltering in McCracken County. They will meet and receive their instructions on Thursday, March 6 at 4:30 pm at the McCracken County Emergency Management at 3700 Coleman Road.

The task force members selected by Mayor Kaler are Caroline Cappock, Sheila Johnston, Lee King, Jeff Pederson, Dr. Rob Robertson, and Dr. James Shumaker. Judge-Executive Newberry appointed Diana Cruickshank, Dr. Tim Davis, Dr. Daniel Everett, Doug Harnice, Todd Jones, and George Pushard.

Formation of the team followed a workshop last Monday, where citizens, the Fiscal Court and the City Commission discussed scenarios for the future of the shelter. The shelter's annual operating expense has been almost 10 times more than the county used to pay the McCracken County Humane Society for housing animals picked up by animal control.

The McCracken County Animal Shelter was created in 2011 when the county severed ties with the Humane Society, following the controversy surrounding employees and how they euthanized animals.