Furor over animal control officer erupts at CC meeting

When reading a novel, one usually comes across a character portrayed as either a protagonist or antagonist. In Charles City County, animal control officer Frank Bates assumes both lead roles.

With more than 200 people in attendance at its meeting Tuesday night, Charles City’s Board of Supervisors heard from those seeking Bates’ removal from his position as well as from his supporters.

At issue is Bates’ job performance, and in particular fallout from the killing of Axel, a golden Labrador retriever owned by county residents Sharon and Tara McGeein that was shot to death by Bates in early November. Word quickly spread among animal supporters about the incident, and activists attended the meeting in full force, most wearing orange to signify the death of Axel.

“There was no need for this animal to be destroyed,” Sharon McGeein told supervisors during the meeting’s public comment session. “[Bates’] actions were unjust. I am asking the county for its own investigation into the matter.”

She continued, pointing out what she claimed to be facts surrounding the euthanizing of dogs over the last two years.

“There have been 193 dogs impounded in the shelter, with 122 of them euthanized,” she continued. “He does not have the trust of this county.”

Word of the meeting also spread among those who believed Bates has been doing a good job as animal control officer. Many of his supporters said that Bates was acting within his duties.

“It was his job,” said Bradley Moore, a resident of the county. “He picked up animals on the road for rabies, cleaned and fed them at the shelter, as well as controlled them.”
LaTonya Williams, another county resident, also supported Bates’ actions.

“Pet owners are responsible for keeping their animals on their property,” said Williams. “I have a small child, and if my child was in danger from any pet, I’d want Frank Bates to take care of it.”

Vocal rumblings among the audience between speakers caused the usually quiet District 1 Supervisor Gilbert Smith, the board’s chairman, to speak up to quell the interruptions.

“I am not going to put up with these outbursts,” said Smith. “I laid down the set of rules before the public comment period began.”

Supporters of both McGeein and Bates engaged in a tug-of-war battle with comments relating to their interactions with Bates.

McGeein supporters spoke about a variety of negative experiences in dealing with Bates, including what they claimed to be improper termination of animals, traps set for pets on the outskirts of personal property, and alleged improper comments and advances made by Bates during investigations.

Bates’ supporters counterattacked the accusations. Some spoke about Bates’ professionalism outside of his job, while others said that Bates would even give his closest of friends a ticket if they weren’t abiding by the law.

“I can’t imagine how you can keep a job for 30 years and not do it properly,” said county resident James Richardson.

Bates has been employed as the county’s animal control officer for 34 years, and some people believe that the time period is too long. Tara McGeein’s speech at the podium accused Bates of unprofessional practices and methods that occurred on Nov. 2 when Axel was shot.

“The dog should have been retained, not shot,” she angrily told supervisors.

“I did some investigation of my own and he has no qualifications, certifications, or proper training for the position,” she claimed.

“Tell me a story about any dog that hasn’t gotten loose,” she continued. “Write me a ticket, take me to court, but don’t call me 15 hours after [Axel] has been murdered.”

Other citizens used different terms for Bates.

“Inconsistent,” said county resident John Lights, commenting on how Bates addressed him about pets on his property while failing to maintain similar standards with animal owners just down the road from his Old Elam Cemetery Road address.

“[Bates] is a product of this county,” said Bob Kicker, another resident. “His actions are making Charles City a poster child for animal cruelty.”

Comments simulated a boxing match– for every punch thrown in support of Bates’ termination, a counterpunch would be launched in favor of retaining him, and vice-versa. When a Bates’ supporter spoke on Bates helping to terminate an illegal kennel on Roxbury Road, a McGeein supporter would respond that the officer played favorites when issuing citations for animals roaming on others’ property.

After two hours of back and forth banter, county administrator Zach Trogdon kept his words brief.

“We heard both sides and appreciate the comments,” he said. “We are committed to working on the issue.”

District 2 Supervisor Bill Coada, however, blasted those in attendance who he said did not fully understand the facts of the situation.

“My colleagues were receiving nasty messages saying the voting down of the animal control adoption committee [at the July meeting] led to this issue,” he said. “This issue has no relation to it.

“This board has been discussing this issue since January,” Coada continued, referring to procedures and policies governing animal control and all county departments that were implemented in March.

“We are working on this. We are not turning a deaf ear. It takes three times longer in government to resolve issues than it does in the corporate world.

“This is also a personnel matter and it’s not for public discussion,” he concluded.

Bates did not attend the meeting and has not commented publicly. He is currently under investigation by Virginia State Police. County officials said they are looking into the matters as well, but no formal decisions have been made. Bates remains employed by the county and is currently on paid administrative leave.