Animal rights activists and opponents of the Rowan County Animal Shelter’s use of the gas chamber have organized another rally before the Rowan County commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting Monday.
Fix Rowan, an all-volunteer group denouncing the killing of adoptable pets in the county, has organized its third rally set to kick off at 4:30 p.m. in front of the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Rowan County Administration Building.
Members of Fix Rowan plan to be holding signs, handing out flyers and attending the commissioners’ meeting to voice their unrest concerning the gas chamber during the public comments section.
The rally’s organizers have said the purpose of the rally is to honor “Bandit,” a beagle-lab mix, who was rescued six years ago, hit by a car and inhumanely treated by an animal control officer before being gassed at the shelter.
The group has started a petition asking for the investigation of Bandit’s incident.
Fix Rowan also is pressuring commissioners and animal control to implement the No Kill Equation, and thus join other counties in dismantling the gas chamber.
Meanwhile, commissioners will look at approving applications for voluntary agricultural programs, as well as a resolution pursuing an Industrial Development Fund grant, when the board meets at 6 p.m. Monday.
Pending commissioners’ approval of the consent agenda, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office will increase its fleet by three vehicles to provide middle school resource officers with means of patrol.