Three people have been arrested in Calhoun County following an investigation into operations at the county’s animal control shelter.
ABC3340 News first reported the allegations in late June. Those allegations included euthanizing animals without the required sedation to ease their pain and suffering.
Calhoun County District Attorney Brian McVeigh announced the arrests Tuesday afternoon.
Chris Westmoreland (former director): Aggravated Animal Cruelty (class C felony), Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (class D felony), Forgery 4th (class A misdemeanor), Unlawfully administering rabies vaccination (class C misd)
Alicia Woods: Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Rabies vaccination
James Thompson: Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Rabies vaccination
Westmoreland was the shelter’s director. He resigned two weeks ago along with another employee.
Prosecutor Alan Dees says he cannot say whether there will be more arrests. The investigation is ongoing. The next step in the case will be a preliminary hearing.
This is a developing story. ABC3340 News will continue to update information related to the case.
ABC3340 News initial report from June 30:
The Calhoun County Animal Control director resigned after claims of unethical and possibly illegal treatment of shelter dogs, according to the Calhoun County Commission.
The Calhoun County Commission said commissioners, the county attorney, and the county administrator were all notified of the claims.
The animal control director along with another employee were said to have resigned after being confronted with the allegations.
The Calhoun County Commission said it was informed that an investigation was initiated to determine if criminal charges are warranted for the former director who euthanized the animals and staff members, “who allegedly euthanized animals without the proper certification.”
One of the allegations made suggested former employees of the animal control center routinely used an older method of euthanasia which includes “injecting sodium pentobarbital directly in the heart, without prior sedation.”
The Calhoun County Commission said the current standard of care for shelter euthanasia is to sedate the animal first, then “inject sodium pentobarbital through a vein.”
“We are quite honestly shocked and saddened,” said Chairman Lee Patterson. “Citizens of Calhoun County deserve to know that animals under the care of the County will receive humane treatment, and that the laws and codes governing animal control policies will be upheld.”
The Calhoun County Commission said it is in full cooperation with the pending investigation in hopes to “not only provide justice, but also ensure policies and procedures are improved to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
District Attorney Brian McVeigh has formed a task force to look into the allegations. McVeigh says he hopes to have their report next week. It’s expected twenty people will be interviewed.