CLAYTON, Mo. – Tuesday night, the St. Louis County animal shelter voted to subpoena nearly a dozen people connected to the St. Louis County Animal Care & Control Adoption Center.
The county retook control of the animal shelter back in February from the Animal Protective Association (APA).
Since then, council members have cited multiple incidents of concern, including numerous failed inspections and a recent parvovirus outbreak that forced the shelter to euthanize 19 dogs.
The shelter is currently operating without a license from the state of Missouri.
The council voted unanimously to issue the subpoenas after the proposal was first approved by the council’s ethics committee Tuesday afternoon. St. Louis County Public Health Director Kanika Cunningham, APA CEO Sarah Javier and those involved in the failed inspections of the facility were among the ten people whom the council announced will soon be issued subpoenas.
Councilman Michael Archer (R-District 6) told FOX 2 he does not know how long the state will allow the county’s shelter to remain open without a license, which is why the council felt compelled to act Tuesday.
Archer added that he would not be surprised if the move sparks yet another legal battle in St. Louis County government.