Recent events involving the euthanasia of a dog named Stella have intensified public concern about the policies, transparency, and decision-making processes at Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement.

Stella, a special-needs dog whose owner was actively searching for her, was brought to the shelter after being found as a stray. Records indicate that during a veterinary exam, Stella’s neurological symptoms led shelter leadership to classify her as a rabies suspect. Despite the owner contacting the shelter while attempting to provide documentation and despite notes indicating Stella allowed handling, the decision was made to euthanize her the same day.

The circumstances surrounding Stella’s death — including questions about documentation of the owner’s call, adherence to stray hold procedures, and the decision-making process that led to euthanasia — have raised serious concerns among residents, volunteers, rescuers, and advocates.

In light of these events, we respectfully call on the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners to establish a new independent Animal Welfare Task Force to review the policies, operations, and oversight of Gwinnett County Animal Welfare and Enforcement.

Gwinnett County faced similar concerns in the past. In 2012, the county convened an Animal Welfare Task Force that brought together community stakeholders and experts to evaluate shelter operations and recommend improvements.

While that effort produced important recommendations, many members of the community believe many of those recommendations were never fully implemented or sustained, and several of the same concerns continue to be raised today.

Over the past several years, residents, volunteers, rescuers, and advocates have raised serious questions regarding the operation of Gwinnett County Animal Welfare, including:

• Lack of transparency in shelter operations and decision-making
• Concerns regarding medical and euthanasia decisions
• Managed intake policies that may leave animals without timely access to shelter care
• Strained relationships with volunteers and community partners
• Questions about animal care standards and outcomes

Managed intake policies, in particular, have raised concerns within the community. While managed intake can be used responsibly in some systems, advocates worry that it may reduce intake numbers in ways that lower reported euthanasia rates without necessarily improving outcomes for animals in the community.

Animal shelters exist to serve both animals and the public. They are entrusted with the care of vulnerable animals and operate using taxpayer funding. When serious concerns arise, the appropriate response is transparency, evaluation, and accountability.

A new independent Animal Welfare Task Force would allow Gwinnett County to bring together community members, animal welfare experts, rescue organizations, volunteers, and county leadership to conduct a comprehensive review of current practices.

The task force should evaluate:

• Shelter policies and procedures
• Medical and euthanasia decision-making processes
• Transparency and data reporting practices
• Volunteer and rescue partnerships
• The impact of managed intake policies
• Animal care standards and shelter conditions

In addition, transparent oversight measures should be implemented, including the installation of camera systems in areas such as the euthanasia room and where animals are housed and handled.

Currently, there are no cameras in the areas where animals are housed within the shelter, which raises serious transparency concerns, particularly given past concerns raised by advocates regarding the treatment of animals in the facility.

Because Gwinnett County Animal Welfare is currently undergoing facility construction and improvements, this presents an ideal opportunity to incorporate modern monitoring systems as part of the current project.

Camera systems in the euthanasia room and animal housing and handling areas would:

• Provide transparency and accountability
• Help ensure animals are treated humanely
• Protect staff and volunteers by documenting incidents
• Increase public confidence in shelter operations

The goal of this effort is not to assign blame, but to ensure that Gwinnett County’s animal welfare system operates with transparency, accountability, and the highest possible standards of humane care.

Creating a new task force would demonstrate Gwinnett County’s commitment to listening to the community, addressing concerns, and ensuring that animals receive the care and protection they deserve.

The animals of Gwinnett County — and the residents who care deeply about them — deserve nothing less.

We respectfully ask the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners to establish a new independent Animal Welfare Task Force to review shelter operations and recommend improvements that will strengthen transparency, accountability, and outcomes for animals in our community.