South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley held a town hall meeting Monday night in York County (which is near Chesterfield Co). Several animal advocates were in attendance and the governor was asked about getting a fair investigation into the alleged shooting of shelter dogs. She seems content to wait for the results of the investigation:
“When we see something that is wrong, we’ll acknowledge it and then move forward and do something about it,” Governor Haley told the audience. That seems to ease the minds of some, while raising concerns with others in attendance.
Put me in that latter group. Remember, no one at the shelter has denied that dogs were shot or that cats were beaten with pipes. I think it’s safe to say something is wrong NOW.
In a more troubling development, rescuers who work with the shelter report that Sheriff Parker has instituted a new pull fee. It will now cost $20 for rescuers to save a dog from being shot in the head by ACOs or a cat from having its head bashed with a pipe. The money will be earmarked for a “shelter maintenance” fund. Maybe they’re running low on lead pipes. I hope the Sheriff reconsiders this new policy which will undoubtedly result in fewer rescued pets and more bodies at the landfill.