County suspends ties with local animal rescue group

Catoosa County has suspended its relationship with a local animal rescue group, charging — among other things — that the group is spreading “inaccurate and negative information” and hasn’t agreed to comply with “rules and guidelines.”

County Manager Jim Walker, in a letter sent Oct. 20 to Emily Sadler, president of Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care, wrote, “Please accept this letter as official notice that Catoosa County is suspending its existing working relationship between the Catoosa County Animal Control Department and Animal Shelter, and the Catoosa Citizens for Animal Care, effective immediately.”

Among the reasons for the county’s decision was the failure of CCAC to sign a document outlining rules and guidelines for rescues that wish to partner with the shelter.

“To date,” the letter says, “both you and your organization have refused to acknowledge or agree to comply with the rules and guidelines.

The document to which the letter refers was presented to Sadler and other representatives of CCAC at an Oct. 11 meeting with county officials. At that time CCAC told the county it wanted to look over the document more carefully and have its attorney look at it before signing.

The county, in its letter, also charges that CCAC has posted “inaccurate and negative information” on social media: “… Members of your organization continue to post inaccurate and negative information about the Catoosa County Animal Control Department and Animal Shelter on social media and other outlets.” The county goes on in the letter to refer to alleged CCAC actions as “silly,” “nonsense,” “reckless” and “bullying.” It accuses CCAC of creating “disinformation and chaos simply because