A disagreement over euthanasia procedures at the Chattooga County Animal Shelter has led to the resignation of both the shelter director and an animal control employee, according to reporting from The Summerville News last week.

Former animal control officer Elizabeth Bressette said she and Commissioner Andy Allen disagreed over whether sedation should be used before administering the euthanasia drug Fatal Plus. Bressette said the method being used without sedation “was not humane,” and that concerns about transparency were dismissed. Shelter Director Emily Wright also resigned, citing “very different philosophies” about how the shelter should operate.

Commissioner Allen defended the current procedures, saying a recent euthanasia process he observed was humane and noting the cost difference between using sedation and not. He said the shelter on Red Oak Road will be temporarily closed while new leadership evaluates policies.  Also, the Commissioner has appointed Charlie Long to be the new Animal Control Director.

Animal Advocates of Chattooga County responded to the controversy, saying, “Our only goal is humane treatment and full transparency. The community deserves to know that every animal is handled with compassion and dignity.”

Allen emphasized recent progress at the shelter, including a sharp drop in annual euthanasia numbers, and said the program is “entering a new chapter” focused on accountability, sustainability, and public safety.

Adoption information will now be published through the county website, according to the commissioner.