Former animal care employees speak on Duplin Co. Animal Shelter violations

DUPLIN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - The state Department of Agriculture has issued a $1,700 fine to the Duplin County Animal Shelter following an investigation that found several violations.

The Animal Welfare Society issued the fine yesterday. The shelter now has 60 days to pay the fine or file an appeal.

During a November state inspection, officials found multiple violations at the Duplin County Animal Shelter. According to inspection documents, violations included two kittens, one of them dead, being found in an enclosure with a dry water bowl.

Hope Tucker, a former shelter employee who was fired in November, said the fine isn’t enough.

“Like a mere slap on the wrist, at best. I feel like a lot of it should’ve gone a lot further than what it did,” Tucker said.

The inspection documents allege other violations, including no recent records of euthanasia procedures, dirty litter boxes, unsanitized water bowls, and missing doghouses for outdoor dogs.

David Corbett, a Rose Hill resident who once worked for animal control, shared his thoughts on the development.

“I think they need somebody to check in on them and make sure they do the right things with the animals, because they need to be treated better,” Corbett said.

Since speaking with Tucker last month, WITN has tried to reach the shelter or the county about workplace conditions. Both have refused to talk.

Duplin County Animal Services asked for a settlement agreement, which the DAC is considering.

For someone to be fired from the shelter, steps must be taken through the county or Animal Services. Tucker hopes those steps will be taken.

“What upsets me is that nobody’s taking into account the managerial status of the shelter,” Tucker said.

Today, the county denied WITN permission to visit the shelter with cameras to see the conditions of the area and animals. Interim County Manager Lisa Hughes said access would not be allowed.

Hughes and the shelter both refused to speak to WITN regarding the fine.