NASH COUNTY, N.C. (WNCN) — The Nash County Animal Control Supervisor was fired Thursday after an investigation by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer services uncovered a list of violations at the Nash County Pet Connections Center.
“That is wonderful to hear that maybe they can find somebody that honestly cares about the animals not just a job,” pet owner, Megan said.
The lengthy 13 page investigation states that Matthew Ingram allowed cats and dogs to be euthanized before the 72-hour minimum holding period required by the state.
The facility has only been open for two years.
The report accuses that Ingram had lied when the animals were coming in to the shelter prior to the euthanasians.
“That’s awful,” Pet owner, Lisa Joyner said.
Joyner says she just recently found stray cats. She says it was recommended to her to bring them to the connections center, but instead found a friend who wanted them.
“That cat had a happy ending but it sounds like if I would’ve taken it to the shelter that it would’ve not have,” Joyner said.
Investigators also found cats were held in enclosures to the point that they could not walk or lay down, kittens had no access to water, and their enclosures were not being cleaned.
CBS17 tried to get a tour of the facility Friday but were told to come back Saturday for their “Rescue and Recruit” event after the facility was cleaned.
“I think that’s kind of crazy to see, like yeah let us fix it and then you guys can come look,” Megan said. “No, we want to see how bad it was, so for them to just say come back that just shows that you’re good at hiding stuff.”
The investigation also states that a dog named Wally Earl was withheld his medication that was attached to his enclosure because the director did not have any pill pockets to put the medicine in.
“If the county cannot pay $5 for pill pockets there’s a problem,” Megan said.
Wally Earl is still up for adoption.
Nash County told CBS17 that they did not have time to talk to us today for an interview, but in a written statement on Facebook Chairman Wayne Outlaw said:
“These are not minor issues. They are unacceptable, heartbreaking, and they do not reflect the values we hold as a county.”
The “Rescue and Recruit event” is Saturday from 10am-1pm.
They will be offering tours to the facility, volunteer opportunities and if you choose to adopt a pet all fees will be waived.
