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CHESTERFIELD CO., S.C. – “I know I’m probably gonna be the most scrutinized Sheriff in the history of the world. But I’m not Sam Parker,” says new Chesterfield Co. Sheriff Jay Brooks. He’s getting more than scrutiny; critics of are already circulating an online petition against the first thing he wants to do in office: regain partial control of the infamous animal shelter.Β
Brooks outlines it in a letter to County Council Chairman Matt Rivers. Brooks wants back control of animal cruelty investigations, he says, for one reason with a couple benefits. Brooks wants to replace the Class 3 officers with Class 1 officers. It’s a higher certification which means more training and arrest powers. Β Brooks says of the current three Class 3 officers, “If they wanna go back and get their Class 1, I would certainly offer that and make that happen for them.”Β
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Brooks says the tax payers would have better liability protection and shelter director Jim McGonigal would get access to more resources, like surveillance cameras, detectives and case managers. He says, “I think he’s (McGonigal) doing a great job. He just needs some tools.”
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Critics of the Sheriff accuse him of looking to fix something that isn’t broken. Ruby, SC resident and animal foster Bernie Harman tells WCCB Charlotte this: “I think they need to leave well enough alone. It’s running fine the way it is. We really don’t need their help.”Β
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County Council took full control of the shelter from then-Sheriff Sam Parker in 2011, in part, after WCCB Charlotte’s investigation into shelter workers unlawfully shooting animals, one worker’s criminal background, the unauthorized possession of fire arms and virtually non-existent record keeping of Schedule II narcotics. Now, it’s a place to be proud of, says volunteer Casey Maynor. She says, “The animals are getting adopted and I feel that if the Sheriff involves himself somehow in that, that could all change really quickly, like it did before.” WCCB Charlotte’s Morgan Fogarty asked, “Even if it’s just that the animal cruelty portion?” Maynor nods and says, “Just having the name involved. Because their (the Sheriff’s office) reputation is kinda tarnished. Jim’s got a great one, that’s what gets these animals adopted.”Β
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Shelter director McGonigal tells WCCB Charlotte he’s issued 326 animal-related citations so far this year and has a 93 percent “save” rate. County Council, all of whom declined to talk to WCCB Charlotte, was scheduled to vote on this Wednesday morning. Brooks says instead, Rivers will appoint a committee to investigate, and a decision could be made in January.
