Residents sound off about new Saginaw Co. pit bull policy - WNEM TV 5
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The Saginaw County Board of Commissioners and some residents expressed their concern about a new pit bull policy put in place at the Saginaw County Animal Care Center.
This week, Val McCullough, the director of the animal care center, said she got the OK from the county controller to allow pit bulls to be adopted out of the pound. Since 1992, pit bulls brought in were euthanized and not adopted out if the dog wasn't claimed by its owner in an allotted amount of time.
At an emergency county board meeting Friday, the board claimed they were in the process of putting a new policy in place, with some strict regulations, before allowing pit bulls to be adopted. Some say they were blindsided by McCullough's move.
"I was really shocked how we went about it, but I will tell you, and I don't mind telling you, you could have blown me over with a feather. I just could not believe with all the discussion and everything, just like that, poof, we changed," said commissioner Ronald Sholtz.
Residents also made their word heard during the public comment portion of the meeting.
"These dogs now stand a chance to be adopted to thugs, dog fighters and backyard breeders. Safety measures needed to be put in place first before this policy change, not down the road," said one resident.
Other residents raised concerns about how the shelter is managed. Deidre MacDonald pointed the finger at McCullough, claiming she isn't caring for the animals.
"Most of them are violations of the Michigan Penal Code for not providing adequate care, sanitary conditions, state of good health and negligently allowing animals to suffer," said MacDonald.
But McCullough said she stands by her decision to lift the pit bull euthanization order, and she said the accusations are just accusations.
"Like I said, we do the very best that we can do," said McCullough.
The controversy's next step is to head to the county's courts and public safety board.
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