Castration Debate Takes Center Stage At Commission Meeting

Animal control and castration again took center stage at Tuesday’s Stephens County Commission meeting as people on both sides of the issue spoke to commissioners.

Local resident Kathy Pauly first questioned the decision not to charge a woman who reportedly castrated a family dog earlier this month with animal cruelty or practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said in that case, an investigation showed that there was no evidence supporting that the dog felt any particular level of pain during or after the procedure, adding there was not probable cause for any charges.

Pauly disputed that.

“Scientific studies have shown that animals feel pain just like humans do,” she said.

Meanwhile, local resident Teresa Hayes questioned those who argue that the animal control officer did not have authority to write citations because he was not sworn in.

That argument was made by supporters of Stephens County High School agriculture teacher Daniel Hebert, who was cited for misdemeanor animal cruelty late last year after reportedly castrating two cats in an animal science class.

Hayes said she feels there is nothing in the county codes that prevented the animal control officer from doing what he did.

“The only restriction the state has is that he cannot arrest,” said Hayes. “If you go to your county codes, you will see that the county can designate anyone to be an animal control officer.”

Hayes went on to say the county and city designated the Humane Shelter to handle animal control and the shelter hired the officer who issued the citations.

Meanwhile, local resident Linda Simmons said they are not against agriculture or Hebert, but just want the codes enforced fairly and correctly.

“My grandfather was a farmer,” said Simmons. “He never personally castrated a dog or a cat. He did castrate swine and bulls. There are different standards that apply to different classes of animals.”

Supporters of Hebert also spoke again, defending the teacher and his actions.

High school student Tyler Allen says Hebert is a good teacher and a good man.

“It is evident Mr. Hebert loves all of his students and wants them to do good in this world,” said Allen. “I think it is crazy for these animal rights advocates to start all this drama in this situation because an agriculture teacher fixed a cat.”

Others also spoke in support of Hebert, saying that what has happened to him is wrong and again questioning the citations issued against him, which remain pending.

Meanwhile, local resident Dee Dee Arrowood calls on people to work together in a positive way.

“I would ask the (animal advocates) to stop your campaign of hate and lies and give this town a chance to heal,” said Arrowood.

Meanwhile, the Humane Society of the United States has also chimed in on the recent events in Stephens County, calling them heartbreaking and calling on the county to take the necessary steps to “appropriately prosecute both.”

In a statement Wednesday, the group said that “castrating an animal without anesthesia is very much a crime and puts the animal in extreme pain and fear. This procedure should never be done by someone who is not a veterinarian or does not have the necessary experience, not to mention in the presence of children. Studies show that witnessing animal cruelty is a risk factor for children, resulting in a higher chance of them committing acts of cruelty themselves.”