City closes animal shelter

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June 17, 2009

Six resignations, one termination prompt temporary move

By Bob Belcher The Corsicana Daily Sun Wed Jun 17, 2009, 01:04 PM CDT

By Bob Belcher

Daily Sun

Six resignations and one termination have forced the City of Corsicana to temporarily close its animal shelter operation.

Three of the shelter’s full-time employees resigned Monday, and three more on Tuesday, according to Connie Standridge, city manager. Standridge declined to comment on the reasons for the mass resignation, citing personnel issues.

Additionally, the city terminated Pam Weaver, an animal control officer, on Tuesday, according to Corsicana Police Chief Randy Bratton. Bratton cited “personnel” issues in connection with Weaver’s termination. Responsibility for the operation of the shelter and animal control falls under the Corsicana Police Department.

Bratton also said the department is looking into a report of “missing property” as one element of this week’s resignations and termination.

“In discussing another matter, it was brought to our attention,” Bratton said.

Standridge also said the city is looking into a report of personal business being conducted by shelter employees while on duty, adding it was not connected with this week’s resignations.

The employees who resigned this week were Shelter Director Pam Snyder, Animal Control Officer Julie Coker, and shelter employees Christina Bonner, Carolyn Bamburg, Joe Aguilar and Francesca Harris. Only one full-time employee remains at the shelter, Standridge said.

“We are in the process of getting a staff to care for the animals we have, but until we get a permanent shelter manager replaced, we will not be able to take in any animals,” Standridge said Tuesday.

The city animal shelter also serves Navarro County residents. The county pays the city an annual fee to help fund the operation of the shelter.

Standridge said the city will be advertising the open positions, and hoped to have the shelter re-opened “within two weeks.”

Bratton said they are considering a “free adoption” event in the near future in an effort to reduce the population at the animal shelter until it can be fully staffed again.

“The animal control issues we will continue to handle, either through the police department, or hopefully maybe the animal control officer with the county will help us out if we have any special circumstances such as a rabid animal,” Standridge said. Bratton added that police would be dispatched in the event of a vicious or endangered animal report is received.

Some of the animal currently at the city shelter could be transferred to other shelters, Standridge said, and the city is looking into that.

“My concern is making sure that the animals are taken care of, and we’re going to do that,” she added. “If there is anyone that would like to volunteer, we’ll have a coordinator to help with that. (Volunteers) would be welcomed.”

Citizens needing assistance with animal control can call the city police dispatch center at (903) 654-4902.

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Bob Belcher may be reached via e-mail at belcher@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Sound Off” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com.

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City closes animal shelter

Six resignations, one termination prompt temporary move

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