By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County News, LLC
Sheriff Jamie Hamilton held an informational meeting on Thursday afternoon about how he ended up taking over the Dillon County Animal Shelter and his plans for the future.
Sheriff Hamilton said it takes a community and told the audience that their presence says that they care about animals. “I care about animals,” Hamilton said.
Over the last 10 months to a year, he recognized that many of the calls that the animal shelter was receiving required law enforcement. He checked around other counties and found out that 18 of the 46 Sheriffs in the state were over the animal shelter. He gave an example of how law enforcement could be needed at a call versus a regular citizen serving at the animal shelter. He said he and county council began talking about how to fix the problem.
He said he also called the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy to find out if there was any training for animal-related laws. There is no training for this. He said discussions with county council led to him trading the detention center to the county for the animal shelter.
Hamilton said animal laws are changing because of the recognition of the need for animal rights.
WATCH THE MEETING…
He introduced the staff. Deputy Richard Lee, who has been on patrol for 16 years, will report next week to the animal shelter full time. He is a Class 1 officer. Others at the shelter include Jennifer and Lola, whose last names weren’t given. He would like to bring on a part-time person, and he is looking at increasing the number of inmates from two to three.
Hamilton said that people created the animal problem in the county and now they will be learning how best to deal with it. He said he has 31 years of experience in law enforcement and only two as the director of the animal shelter.
Their goal will be to get animals in and get them out as quickly as possible. He hit the ground running and reduced the number of dogs in the shelter from 130 when he took over to 89 in a short period of time. None of the dogs were euthanized. They were rescues that were re-homed. He said there are more rescues on the way.
Hamilton said they would be doing free adoptions of animals, but there would be a vetting process. He said he didn’t believe there were very many people with wrong intentions who would come to the animal shelter to adopt a dog from the sheriff. He said most dogfighters want a clean bloodline. He said they will continue the spay and neuter program. They will also take part in Shelter Love, an internet site where they can post animals in the shelter to be re-homed.
Hamilton said they have re-established the relationship with the local veterinarian. He also said they have been “cleaning like crazy people” at the shelter and the county brought in help to assist. Hamilton said cleanliness keeps a lot of things out of the shelter.
The hours of operation will change. The shelter will be open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Monday will be a cleaning day.
Hamilton said that 20 percent of the call volume in the city and county is animal related.
He explained that just because they go to a call doesn’t mean that something criminal is going on. He said if someone isn’t arrested or the animal isn’t taken, it doesn’t mean that they did nothing. He said the goal is to keep people with their animals, and they will evaluate each case. He said if something criminal is going on they will be charged, and he will take it to the Solicitor to prosecute.
Hamilton said they also need help from community volunteers. Donations will go to the treasurer’s office. There will be no cash coming into the shelter.
Hamilton said they will also be changing the front signage and that county council had agreed to put a building in the back.
“Bear with me,” Hamilton said. “This was not on my agenda when I was elected Sheriff.” He said he accepts the challenge and thinks he can make the shelter a better place.
The shelter will reopen on Tuesday. He gave out his phone number, 843-506-2968, in case anyone has any questions or concerns.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
