Euthanasia ban lifted at Robeson County Animal Shelter

Baxter

ST. PAULS — The state’s suspension of the Robeson County Animal Shelter’s euthanasia certification was lifted on Tuesday at 3 p.m.

“We are good to go,” Lori Baxter, the shelter’s manager, told The Robesonian minutes after receiving confirmation from Hal Kinlaw, county attorney, and Bill Smith, Health Department director.

After a delay because of a paperwork problem, a consent agreement was reached and signed by the county and Dr. Lee Hunter, director of the Animal Welfare Section of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The county paid an $1,000 fine and promised that no animal welfare regulations will be breached at the facility during the next year.

The suspension, which took effect on Thursday, halted euthanizations, but Baxter said that no euthanizations were needed during that period, so operations weren’t affected.

Two animal rescue groups picked up nearly 30 dogs from the shelter during the weekend, Baxter said.

“We are having no space issues at this time,” Baxter said.

She said Hunter contacted her early Tuesday and said the consent agreement, signed by the county and the state, was faxed to Kinlaw’s office. 

The state took action against the shelter two weeks ago after a live puppy was found in December among euthanized animals being transported to the county landfill. The dog was sedated but not provided with the lethal injection.

Baxter will now resume her duties as the shelter’s on-site euthanizer. 

“We don’t foresee any more violations,” she said.

Read more: The Robesonian - Euthanasia ban lifted at shelter