Fayette County rejects animal shelter committee

After another round of pleas from advocates to create a task force and advisory committee to guide animal welfare programs, the Fayette County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 on Sept. 28 to reject the idea.

The decision followed a lengthy presentation by the Fayette Humane Society that asked for greater citizen input on matters affecting the nearly 600 dogs and more than 300 cats who enter the shelter each year. Commission Chairman Eric Maxwell said talks between shelter director Jerry Collins and animal groups were already resulting in positive changes to the system.

Commissioner Charles Rousseau suggested exploring whether to privatize the shelter.