St. Clair County Animal Control Director Melissa Miller resigned Thursday, June 4, immediately after commissioners approved a rewrite of the county’s animal control ordinance she had publicly opposed for weeks.
Miller submitted her resignation to Administrator/Controller Thomas Hull during the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners’ Judiciary/Public Safety Committee meeting shortly after commissioners voted 7-0 to approve Ordinance 26-13.
In her resignation letter, a copy of which she provided to the Times Herald, Miller said the ordinance “fundamentally undermines the mission, responsibilities and public safety role of Animal Control” and leaves her unable to continue serving in the position.
“I cannot in good conscience remain a part of it,” Miller wrote.
The vote followed weeks of public debate over the proposed ordinance, which shifts criminal animal cruelty and neglect investigations to law enforcement agencies while leaving Animal Control responsible for shelter operations, licensing, dangerous dog complaints and other civil enforcement matters.
The proposal stemmed from a legal opinion by county counsel Gary Fletcher, who argued portions of the county’s existing ordinance exceeded authority granted under Michigan law.
Miller had been one of the ordinance’s most vocal critics.
During public comment Thursday, Miller told commissioners she had reviewed dozens of animal control ordinances across Michigan and believed the proposal would make St. Clair County an outlier by limiting Animal Control’s authority.
“If this ordinance is passed, I am prepared to tender my resignation tonight to leave with that commitment intact,” Miller told commissioners.
The ordinance was initially expected to receive final action May 21, but commissioners voted to postpone consideration after citing ongoing amendments, late revisions and requests for additional public review.
During Thursday’s discussion, Commissioner Kerry Ange asked Fletcher to clarify how animal welfare complaints would be handled under the new ordinance.
Fletcher said Animal Control would continue conducting welfare checks, assisting owners struggling to care for animals and working with residents on corrective action plans.
He said the primary change was that investigations likely to result in criminal charges would be handled by law enforcement agencies, with Animal Control available to assist.
“I think you do a great job. You really do,” Fletcher said of the department. “This was never meant to take away their ability to do their job ever.”
Before the vote, Fletcher also requested a final amendment clarifying that the county’s administrator/controller, rather than the Board of Commissioners, would appoint the Animal Control director.
Commissioner Dave Rushing amended his motion to include the change, and Commissioner Joi Torello supported the motion.
The ordinance was approved unanimously.
In her resignation letter, Miller argued the ordinance limits Animal Control’s authority, transfers hundreds of annual welfare calls to law enforcement agencies and creates potential liability for the county.
“Protecting animals and supporting public safety is not a side function of Animal Control. It is the function,” Miller wrote.
Miller’s resignation is effective immediately.
The St. Clair County Board of Commissioners holds committee meetings on the first Thursday of each month and full board meetings on the third Thursday, both beginning at 6 p.m.
Meetings are held in the County Administration Building, 200 Grand River Ave., Port Huron, and are livestreamed on the county’s YouTube channel.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: St. Clair County Animal Control director resigns after ordinance vote
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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By Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
