Cat Castration Controversy Continues in Stephens County

By Charlie Bauder, WNEG Radio, Toccoa

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 the board.

The issue of who can legally spay or neuter a pet dog or cat has been the talk of the county since a Stephens County high Ag teacher neutered two of his pet cats in the classroom in front of students.

The teacher was later cited by the county animal control officer for misdemeanor animal cruelty, but the debate on whether he had the right to issue that citation also lingers on.

During the meeting this week, local resident and pet sitting business owner, Kathy Pauley first questioned the decision not to charge another woman with animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

That after she allegedly neutered the family dog earlier this month at her home reportedly without any apparent pain killers or anesthesia provided to the animal.

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.

But Pauley 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, the teacher who neutered his two cats in class.

Hayes says there is nothing in the county codes that prevented the animal control officer from having the authority to issue the citation.

“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.”

Another citizen, Linda Simmons says she is not against agriculture or Hebert, but just want the codes enforced fairly and correctly.

Simmons noted there’s a difference between farm animals and pets.

“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, the Humane Society of The United States has also chimed in on the recent events in Stephens County, calling the incident with the unidentified woman who neutered her dog and the Ag teacher, “heartbreaking” and calling on the county to take the necessary steps to “appropriately prosecute both.”