Cat Castration Case Headed to Magistrate Court

The Stephens County High School cat castration case will be heard in Magistrate Court.

Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Director Jeff Roberts said that animal control has completed its investigation into the incident and made a decision on how to proceed.

“I cannot go into specifics of the case, other than to say that we have investigated it,” said Roberts. “We are required to enforce county codes and as part of the investigation, we made a determination that it was warranted to issue a summons on two counts of animal cruelty, but it will be up to the judge to make a final determination in the case.”

Roberts said that the animal cruelty counts issued in the summons against Stephens County High School teacher Daniel Hebert are classified as misdemeanors.

Earlier this month, Hebert castrated two cats in an Animal Science classroom at Stephens County High School.

Roberts said the cats, to his knowledge, have suffered no lasting physical health issues.

Hebert initially resigned immediately following the incident, but withdrew that initial immediate resignation.

Last Thursday, the Stephens County Board of Education voted 6 to 1 to both suspend Hebert for a week ending last Thursday and accept his resignation at the conclusion of the current school year on June 30, 2015.

Jim Ledford was the lone opposing vote both times, saying he did not agree with the actions taken against Hebert by the board.

According to Roberts, the case is currently scheduled to be heard in Stephens County Magistrate Court on December 18 at 1:30 p.m.