Gwinnett Animal Shelter Manager Resigns

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Curt Harrell, the manager of Gwinnett County's animal shelter, resigned unexpectedly this week after less than a year and a half on the job.

Harrell resigned on Monday, not providing any reason for the resignation, Gwinnett County spokesman Joe Sorenson said.

His resignation comes months after Harrell was found guilty of contempt of court. The case involved a dog that was euthanized at the shelter. Shelter staff had deemed the dog dangerously aggressive, but a woman had filed suit to adopt the animal and a judge had issued a court order protecting it.

Harrell, who is appealing the conviction, was fined $500. Police Chief Butch Ayers, who oversaw the animal shelter at the time, publicly expressed support for Harrell and said the case wouldn't impact his job.

Harrell, who had headed up the shelter since March 2016, also had been credited by county officials for drastically reducing the number of animals euthanized in the county.

According to Gwinnett County, 514 animals were euthanized in 2016, down from 3,238 in 2012.

In March, the shelter was moved from under the control of the police department to Gwinnett's Department of Community Services.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County