New Hanover County’s Animal Control Services will soon fall under the direction of the Sheriff’s Office.
WHQR’s Michelle Bliss reports that County Manager Bruce Shell announced the organizational shift at a press conference Wednesday.
In March, Animal Control Services will move from the county health department to become a part of the support services division at the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Ed McMahon says that the staff will continue working out of its current location and no jobs will be lost in the transition. He says his primary goals are to enhance customer service and transition more stray animals into adoptive homes.
The StarNews reports that for the past 12 years, Jean McNeil led the division until she was fired last month. McNeil has said that her expulsion is related to a disagreement about emergency pay for employees during Hurricane Irene.
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