Lancaster County animal shelter probe turned over to SLED

The criminal investigation of an employee at the Lancaster County animal shelter has been turned over to state investigators, officials said.

The Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, which began investigating an employee at the animal shelter last week, has turned that investigation over to the State Law Enforcement Division, sheriff’s spokesman Doug Barfield said.

“It’s another agency within county government,” he said. “We thought it’d be a better idea for SLED to look at it.”

Barfield said last week that the sheriff’s office began investigating after receiving a call during which someone made “allegations” against a shelter employee. Details of the investigation have not been released, but Barfield said the investigation did not involve the health or welfare of any animals.

Kathryn Richardson, a SLED spokeswoman, confirmed Monday that the agency was investigating the case, which she said involved “allegations of financial irregularities.”

No charges have been filed, and officials have not identified the employee, who is on administrative leave. The shelter has only been open to rescues since the investigation began, but County Administrator Steve Willis said the county plans to reopen the shelter to the public on Wednesday.

The county has had people in the shelter every day feeding and caring for the animals, Willis said. Until further notice, all fees for adoption or reclaiming will be waived.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Lancaster County animal shelter probe turned over to SLED."