Charles City animal control officer under investigation

Axel, the 18-month Labrador Retriever, was fatally wounded on Nov. 2.

The death of an 18-month old yellow Labrador retriever that was being trained to be a therapy dog is now at the center of an investigation involving a Charles City County animal control officer.

Axel, the pet of county resident Sharon McGein, was shot to death by animal control officer Franklin Bates on Nov. 2 after Bates received a complaint from McGein’s neighbor. According to an animal control report furnished by county administrator Zach Trogdon, Bates responded to a call from Gail Chanity after she reported the animal chased her 17-year old son from a school bus drop-off point to her house. Bates arrived 20 minutes later and after a standoff with the dog, shot the animal in the face. Axel later died at the scene.

The report says Bates stomped at the dog and it responded by jumping back and then turning around and barking.

Now, McGein is asking for justice for what she believes is a severe overreaction.

“I have been talking with my lawyer and the state police about his actions,” said McGein. “This isn’t the first time he has received complaints about his professionalism and his response.”

McGein says she received numerous calls from surrounding localities that have had interaction with Bates over years.

“Nothing has ever been done about him,” she continued.

The isolated incident has now become a worldwide story. An online petition drive demanding that Bates be removed has eclipsed the 1,000-signature mark from people around the world. The story launched a social media page that is also calling for Bates’ removal. Discussion boards and other media outlets also have picked up on the incident.

Public relations officer Sgt. Thomas Molnar of the Virginia State Police has confirmed that his agency is “looking into” the allegations.

McGein said, “I’ve had one incident in the past with Mr. Bates and that was several years ago. There, I paid the fine and had my dog returned to me.

Now McGein claims Bates has “overstepped his boundaries.” She claims Bates told her he based his action to shoot the dog on his interview with the youth who told Bates he had been chased by the animal multiple times.

“That dog was only in the county for four days,” she said, adding that Axel was living with her daughter, Tara, before moving into her home on Oct. 28.

“It was raining and the ground was wet during those days,” McGein said, mentioning how she kept the dog indoors. “The first day we allowed him outside [Nov. 2], he was killed.”

Trogdon said that no action has been taken by himself or the Charles City Board of Supervisors, but acknowledges the concerns of citizens.

“Lately we’ve been having more calls about situations involving Mr. Bates,” he said. “I’ve received emails, calls, and informal walk-in meetings with citizens and have listened to them and will address their concerns to the board.”

Trogdon declined to say if Bates was on administrative leave. Calls to Bates were not returned.

“We know there is an investigation at this time,” continued Trogdon. “It’s something that we have to take into consideration before a decision is made.”

Supporters of McGein pledged to attend the Nov. 27 Charles City Board of Supervisors meeting. McGein said that her goal is not for Axel, but for Charles City residents as well.