The Franklin County Animal Shelter has been fined $1,000 for violating state law and its own policies on euthanizing animals.
Posted 2024-08-02T15:51:50+00:00 - Updated 2024-08-05T18:57:25+00:00 Franklin County Animal Shelter under state investigation By Destinee Patterson , WRAL reporterThe Franklin County Animal Shelter has been fined $1,000 for violating state law and its own policies on euthanizing animals.
On Friday, a spokesperson with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture confirmed to WRAL News an investigation has been ongoing for about a month.
Although Lynn Bowling is still listed on Franklin County website as the animal services manager, assistant county manager Will Doerfer told WRAL News he started running the shelter's day-to-day operations on Thursday.
State investigators said an injured dog named Layla wasn't given any veterinary treatment and was then euthanized before the minimum holding period of 72 hours ended.
Shelter director Lynn Bowling said "adequate care was not available" for the dog, but investigators said that isn't true.
A shelter technician said Bowling told them to euthanize the dog at the end of the day on a Friday since it was Memorial Day weekend.
During the investigation, a Franklin County animal control officer also alleged that cats were mishandled by the shelter staff during the euthanasia process.
WRAL News reached out to Franklin County for comment about the findings at the animal shelter. A spokesperson released the following statements:
"Franklin County received the report today and is reviewing the report to determine what next steps need to be taken. Franklin County is fully cooperating with the state and is committed to ensuring that the welfare of animals in the Animal Shelter’s care complies with state laws and regulations. Franklin County is grateful for the continued support of the community and animal rescue partners.”
The county would not explain why Bowling was not running the shelter, citing "personnel matters."
Animal rights advocates have been vocal about the need for improvements at the animal shelter in Louisburg, calling for changes to leadership and euthanasia practices.
"We deserve an animal shelter that reflects rather than undermines our values," one advocate said. "Homelessness should not mean a death sentence for animals."
Animal advocate Joleen Popescu has also spoken at those meetings and created a Facebook page: Change for animals of Franklin County NC.
The state's agriculture department reports that Franklin County took in 2,392 cats and dogs in 2023, euthanizing 29% of those animals. That rate is about the same as Vance and Durham counties but much higher than more urban Wake County.
Popescu said it feels like people are finally listening, but there is still a lot of improvement that needs to be made.
"I hold out hope that it will only continue to get better," she said.
On Thursday, Franklin County announced the shelter hired Shana Sommer as its new outreach coordinator and added $50,000 in funding for spay/neuter programs "with the future goal to alter all adoptable animals before they leave the shelter."
An additional $25,000 was reserved to help pet owners with low incomes pay for spay or neuter surgeries for their pets. Spaying and neutering pets prevents overpopulation and shelter crowding, which are both big problems in North Carolina, especially at rural shelters.
WRAL News also called and emailed all of the county commissioners and did not hear back.
The shelter at 351 T Kemp Road in Louisburg is open for adoptions on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Adoptions on Thursdays are by appointment only. An image gallery of adoptable animals can be found online.