FLORIDA -- A St. Johns County animal control officer is on paid administrative leave after a cat was brought in and quickly euthanized
Jerry Cameron, assistant county administrator for community services, said after the officer brought the cat in, the cat was immediately euthanized for unknown reasons.
That is against protocol, he said.
“This is clearly something that the county is very concerned about,” Cameron said.
The cat belonged to a St. Johns County woman, Cameron said. One animal control officer is on paid administrative leave while county officials investigate.
The cat was picked up at the Bozard Ford car dealership at 540 Outlet Mall Blvd., he said. The county shelter is on Stratton Road off U.S. 1.
Paul Studivant, division manager of animal control for St. Johns County, declined to comment but provided an official statement from the county:
“Our initial inquiry indicated that (the) county’s policies and procedures were not followed and that there were no justifications for actions that occurred. The issue is currently under investigation, and the employee in question has been placed on administrative leave,” according to the statement.
“The appropriate measures will be taken to prevent this from occurring again. The loss of a pet under any circumstance is tragic, and our condolences are extended to the family. St. Johns County pet center staff will continue working daily to reunite pets with their families and facilitate adoptions for animals that need homes,” Studivant added.
(St Augustine.com - March 5, 2015)
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