The Animal Shelter Task Force listened to public comments Wednesday night before voting 7-3. The recommendation now goes before the McCracken County Fiscal Court for consideration.
The room was full of citizens who gave their opinions on the issue, with many reminding the task force of why the relationship was severed in 2011 - recordings surfaced alleging that an employee was euthanizing animals without first sedating them, which is against state law. An investigation revealed that another employee may have euthanized animals without a license. Both employees were eventually tried, with one pleading guilty to a lesser charge, and another getting her conviction overturned in an appeal.
The county quickly set up another shelter on County Park Road, but it has proven to be about 10 times more expensive to operate than the annual stipend once paid to the Humane Society.
The number of comments in favor of using the Humane Society was a small minority of those in attendance.
The task force was put in place after a February meeting where city and county leaders openly discussed their options, including building a new facility, refurbishing something they already have, or partnering with an existing shelter.
Mayor Kaler appointed six members of the task force, and Judge-Executive Newberry appointed the remaining six.
Some animal advocates who were outraged about the Humane Society's euthanization practices had hoped to be named to the task force, and after learning who was chosen, feared the task force would make this recommendation. The Fiscal Court discussion is likely to be well-attended, too.
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