Animal control officer resigns

County Executive John Pelham informed Health and Welfare Committee members at a meeting Tuesday that county animal control officer Charles Smith has submitted his resignation, effective Sunday, March 9, citing health and personal reasons.

Smith had been absent from work for several days after a visit to the River Park emergency room March 4, where he was diagnosed with the flu.

‘Mr. Smith contacted me on Monday, March 10 and stated that he has been dealing with several medical issues and continues to experience numerous health problems,’ Pelham told commissioners in a letter announcing the resignation.

‘Well, I hate to hear that,’ said committee member Bill Yancy. ‘He was a good animal control officer. But you can’t blame him. It was something that couldn’t be helped. But we need to let the public know what’s going on and what we’re going to have to do is post the job again.

‘I make a motion that we accept his letter of resignation,’ Yancy added. ‘And go ahead and get the job posted as soon as possible.’

Some commissioners had been getting calls from constituents because they hadn’t been able to reach Smith and had been informed the shelter was full and not currently handling calls unless it was a violent dog or an animal bite report. Yancy pointed out state law doesn’t require counties to have an animal control department, but commissioners want to keep the shelter open.

‘We want to do this to help the county,’ Yancy said. ‘We’re just going to have to ask everybody to be patient until we get a new officer.’

Pelham said he also supports the shelter and regrets, but understands, Smith’s position.

‘We had really been making some progress and I feel we can build on what this committee has started,’ Pelham said. ‘We’ve been doing some good things. Our numbers have been good.’

Pelham did say the county would have to retrain and qualify a new officer, particularly where it deals with certification to perform euthanasia of un-adoptable animals.

‘The biggest thing that I see that we’re losing is the certification that Chuck had,’ Pelham said. ‘Of course I think we all agree that Chuck did a good job, and our commitment to animal control is obvious because this committee made the investment to send Chuck to get him certified to the second level in animal control.

‘So now we’re going to have to start over with that with a new person to get that certification,’ Pelham continued, ‘but we can do that.’

According to Pelham, the job should be posted in the Southern Standard today or Sunday, and those interested should contact the employment office for job requirements and to submit an application.

According to Pelham, a schedule has been arranged with part-time animal control employee Joey Williamson, who is attending Motlow, for the next two weeks that will accommodate his classroom schedules.

The schedule will be as follows:

‘ Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

‘ Tuesday and Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

‘ Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon

Pelham said Williamson will be available during those hours to handle any calls concerning any violent or dangerous animals.