The director of the Porter County Animal Shelter has resigned, less than two months after being hired to replace the former director who resigned in the wake of a horse neglect case.

Porter County Commissioner President Robert Harper confirmed this morning that Jennifer Pierce, a former animal control officer, resigned on Monday, citing differences of opinion with the Animal Welfare Board.

The resignation comes just before the county commissioners are expected to act on an ordinance giving them more control over the shelter’s operations. The commissioners have the authority to appoint the shelter director, but the animal welfare board has handled the shelter’s operations. That would change with the ordinance amendment, which would make the animal shelter function like a few other county departments. Like the highway department, the animal shelter would function under the direct supervision of the commissioners.

The commissioners are expected to consider the ordinance change when they meet Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Harper indicated that Pierce’s resignation reflects the ongoing debate over how the animal shelter should function.

One line of thinking, he said, is that the duty of the animal shelter should be mainly to pick up and control stray animals. The other train of thought is of the opinion that the shelter should do more to promote the proper care of animals, including adoptions. “I make no pretense I’m in the second category,” he said, noting that one of his goals has been to reduce the animal euthanizations at the shelter.

Harper said his goal is to find a new shelter director committed to reducing the number of euthanizations.

Pierce was appointed by the commissioners in March as the new shelter director following an animal neglect case that led to the resignations of former director Sandy Ogle and Animal Welfare Board Member Bonnie Frye. One of Frye’s horses had to be euthanized due to its severe condition, and officials said other animals in Frye’s care were also in poor shape after being returned to her after earlier being placed in foster care. Frye was charged with 10 counts of animal neglect.

Posted 5/6/2008