By Nicole Bowman-Layton

WINDSOR — Public debate over animal welfare policy in Bertie County has escalated following social media claims that dogs at the county shelter are now limited to a 10-day stay before euthanasia, even if space remains available.

The claim came through the Bertie County Humane Society’s Facebook Page. The Bertie County Animal Shelter is run by volunteers with the nonprofit, which operates under the legal name Roanoke Chowan Humane Society. A series of posts on Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026, circulated widely online, alleging that “the county manager (Juan Vaughan) has told the (Animal Control) officer that dogs only have 10 days to stay there.”

The Bertie County Animal Shelter referred questions to Bertie County Manager Juan Vaughan II. Vaughan did not respond for comment in time for this report.

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At least five dogs are staying at the shelter, according to a shelter volunteer.

A dog named Sonnet is scheduled for euthanasia on Thursday.

“Sonnet is a typical sweet female hound that just wants to play and attention. We’re estimating she’s about 3 years old. Shes a little underweight, maybe around 40lbs. She keeps her kennel clean and enjoys being snuggled up in blankets. She’s a little bit of a messy eater, but can you blame her? She’s HUNGRY. She’d be the perfect family dog. She’s done well with other dogs through the kennels,” the shelter posted.

According to the shelter’s posts, a dog named Lincoln has been at the shelter for less than two weeks, but he is scheduled for euthanasia on Friday.

“He’s done well with other dogs through the kennel, but he’s a bit shy with people. He just wants to run away and hide; he doesn’t know where he is, why he’s so cold, why it’s so loud, or what he could have done to end up in this damp place with strange people,” the shelter posted.

These are but two dogs that need loving homes.

Board of Commissioners

A review of the Feb. 16 Bertie County Board of Commissioners meeting transcript shows no formal vote adopting a 10-day euthanasia rule during that session. However, discussion during the meeting revealed divisions over shelter management, long-term housing, and animal care standards.

The Feb. 16 meeting drew an unusually large crowd, with speakers addressing tethering laws, shelter conditions, euthanasia timelines, and enforcement challenges.

Victoria, a former Humane Society employee and current rabies vaccinator, described severe neglect cases she had witnessed. “If you have never seen an embedded collar in a dog, you don’t want to. When the neck is partially… this dog was almost to the point of being decapitated.”

She added: “The abuse of the animals is horrible here in Bertie County.”

Other speakers called for clearer euthanasia timelines.

One former shelter worker stated: “There needs to be a change at Bertie County Animal Control. There needs to be a deadline… You cannot hold a dog in a kennel for outrageous amounts of time.”

At the same time, residents and hunters opposed new tethering restrictions, arguing that current cruelty laws are sufficient and that owners are not properly caring for the animals.

Another resident questioned the county’s enforcement capacity. “We’ve got two animal control officers… That’s a lot to manage with just two people.”

In related news, commissioners voted during the meeting to place a proposed animal tethering ordinance on the ballot as a public referendum, allowing residents to decide whether to adopt new restrictions on chaining dogs.

Board members emphasized they wanted voters to weigh in.

Chairman Corey Ballance stated, “After giving this a lot of thought… we as a board have considered putting this on the ballot to allow the citizens to decide where to go with this.”

The referendum concerns tethering standards, not shelter holding periods.

Side note — more from that meeting to appear in a future story.

State Law on Shelter Holding Periods

Under North Carolina General Statute §19A-32.1, animal shelters must hold stray animals for a minimum of 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) before euthanasia or other disposition, unless the animal is seriously injured, suffering, or poses a documented safety threat.

State law establishes a minimum hold period, not a maximum.

Counties may adopt policies that extend holding times beyond 72 hours. A 10-day holding limit would exceed the state minimum requirement and would not inherently violate state law. However, such a policy would represent a local administrative or operational decision rather than a state mandate.

No written 10-day policy was presented or voted on during the February 16 meeting.

Shelter development and oversight

County officials reported that plans for a new animal shelter facility have been approved and are pending final permits.

County Manager Juan Vaughan II indicated that construction timeline places completion around May 2026.

During the discussion, a commissioner noted the financial strain of long-term sheltering and transfers. “There is some dogs in our shelter that have been there for 5 years. They have spent thousands of dollars to transport it.”

Other speakers countered that expanding shelter capacity and prevention programs, such as spay-and-neuter initiatives, would better address the root causes.

Deborah Tayloe referenced the state’s spay and neuter assistance program, stating, “If we want different outcomes, we must be willing to look at new solutions.”

Questions about the 10-Day claim

As of publication, it remains unclear whether:

• A written 10-day shelter policy exists
• The policy applies to all dogs or certain classifications
• Rescues may pull dogs beyond that timeframe

If Interested in Adopting

Animals can be ADOPTED only to  APPROVED HOMES.  (Adopt app., Vet references, personal references, etc. will be required.  When feasible, a home visit will also be done.

Send us your email through a private message so we can email you an adoption application. 
Dog Adoption fee: $150
All animals are sterilized before adoption. Most of the time, if we have the funds and the time, they are also UTD on all core vaccines and other vetting.
**If an animal is too young to sterilize, an agreement is signed that upon the animal’s reaching the agreed-upon age, it will be sterilized (at your expense unless discussed) and proof thereof provided to us. THIS IS STRICTLY ENFORCED, or the animal will be returned to us!

If you currently have any dogs, we suggest bringing them to the shelter to meet the dog you are interested in and bring your family.

NO DOGS ARE ADOPTED TO LIVE OUTSIDE!  They must be adopted to become INSIDE beloved family members.

For some dogs , the shelter requires a fenced yard (this depends on the dog) — shelter can discuss it. 

HOW TO CONTACT US:

252-325-3647
PLEASE BE PATIENT … there are only a few of folks that volunteer

Preferred way to contact us is to private message us on Facebook (you will receive a quicker reply) -or can call and LEAVE A MESSAGE and someone will return your call:  252-325-3647 (please be patient there are only a few volunteers) -email:
BertieCountyHumaneSociety@yahoo.com
EMAILING is not as preferred as private messaging us on messenger or calling.  We receive so many emails and sometimes they go to the spam folder! There’s so many spam mails it’s hard to go through all of them. 
Please private message if you can! Or call!!