Should Charlotte animal services break off from the police department?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A group is moving forward with calls to split the city’s animal services from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

CMPD Animal Care and Control is currently a part of the police department’s support services, but volunteers — and a group called Friends of Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Services (CMAS) said that current structure has meant issues for animal services and the shelter.

RELATED: Much-needed Charlotte animal shelter renovations tighten space for care

“It causes a lot of bureaucracy, and the shelter does not have a lot of autonomy over its budget, which is incredibly important,” said Kelsey Joseph, who is with Friends of CMAS.

The group, which includes volunteers, filled part of a Charlotte City Council meeting Monday, calling for the agency to be separated from CMPD, having funding dedicated to the agency.

They also urged council members for a new shelter, noting that when the shelter was built, the city’s overall population — and therefore the pet population — was lower.

What is now Animal Care and Control was, at one point in the early 1990s, its own department within the City of Charlotte, but it eventually became consolidated with CMPD. Other towns within Mecklenburg County like Huntersville Cornelius also have animal services with their police department.

Renovations are currently taking place at the Animal Care and Control facility on Byrum Drive.

The plea during the City Council meeting came during the public hearing. No action was taken since it wasn’t part of the agenda, and there’s no word on when or if those changes will be brought up with city leadership.

CMPD Animal Care and Control was not able to comment on this story by our deadline. However, the agency itself is publicly funded, and should any changes be made on its structure by city leaders, they could be compelled to do so.

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