On Tuesday, Chattooga County Commissioner Blake Elsberry revealed that Animal Control Director Mark Finster has resigned from his position, effective mid-December. Finster’s departure comes on the heels of a controversial incident that occurred earlier this year, which has drawn considerable public scrutiny.

On September 23, 2024, the Chattooga County Animal Control made the decision to euthanize a family pet, a decision that has since been met with backlash and raised concerns regarding the protocols followed by the department. The situation escalated when allegations surfaced suggesting that a county employee may have attempted to cover up the circumstances surrounding the euthanization. In response to the controversy, Commissioner Elsberry stated that he conducted a thorough investigation into the matter. In a vague social media announcement shared last month, the commissioner confirmed that the involved employee had been reprimanded, though he did not provide specific details about the findings or the nature of the reprimand.

While the commissioner’s earlier comments addressed the investigation, the reasons for Finster’s resignation were not elaborated upon.

Commissioner Elsberry’s term ends December 31st at midnight.