PRINCETON, W.Va. – The Mercer County Commission held a special meeting Monday evening in Circuit Court Judge William Sadler’s Courtroom. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss animal shelter and animal control issues in the county.
The issues of not having enough animal control ordinances came to light recently when Matoaka residents spoke on the ongoing dog problem in their community.
According to Matoaka residents who spoke during the County Commission Meeting on March 25, a group of unleashed dogs have attacked children getting of school buses, other pets, a National Guardsman who was helping clean after the recent flood, and a FEMA worker.
During Monday evening’s meeting, almost all pews in the courtroom were full, with representatives from animal advocacy groups like the Mercer County Humane Society, Animal Disaster Relief Coalition, and A.L.I.V.E Animal Services.
Along with these animal advocacy organizations, local animal advocates were in attendance to speak on behalf of the homeless animal population in their neighborhoods.
A 53-signature petition was given to the commission before the meeting in support of making the Mercer County Animal Shelter a no kill shelter.
Around 17 people spoke during the meeting, all giving ideas to the commission to avoid the option of euthanizing dogs to make space in the animal shelter.
Brandon Riffe, founder of the Animal Disaster Relief Coalition, says the overpopulation of homeless animals will not stop unless there are harsher punishments for irresponsible pet owners.
“We have irresponsible people that breed animals,“ said Riffe. ”They let them run free. They let them breed all they want, and there’s no consequences. Those are the animals that crowd the shelters. And then when Mr. Vest (Matoaka resident) does have a problem, the shelter cannot help because there was no punishment put in place.”
Lisa Moten, Co-Founder of A.L.I.V.E Animal Services, suggests a comprehensive adoption policy, low-cost spay and neuter services, and partnership with other animal rescue groups, could help make room in the county shelter.
Moten says it’s time to start implementing these changes to do better for the animals.
“For today, our community will not back down,” said Morten. “We will stand firm in the belief that all life is valuable. Every animal that enters our shelter deserves compassion and a chance at a full life. We will continue to raise our voices to push for change and to demand that we do better by our animals in Mercer County.”
Other suggestions included offering behavioral testing and rehabilitation, building a better social media presence to attract more adopters and rescue groups, expand the current shelter, and implement more ordinances.
The commissioners said they do not want to kill animals just to make room.
Commissioner Greg Puckett proposed that the former leash law ordinance that was voted down come back to be voted on as a Canine Control ordinance. He also wants to revisit the spay and neuter ordinance and to hire a county dog warden.
The commission hopes to start the process of implementing changes within the next 60 days.
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