Van VanDeWalker, who ran Macon-Bibb's animal control shelter for part of this spring, has resigned.

His resignation came suddenly and without warning Monday, according to Bibb County spokesman Kevin Barrere.

As Wendy Hilliard, Animal Protection Agent for the Department of Agriculture, told the commission that euthanasia is sometimes necessary, Allen threw his hands up and left the meeting.

Hilliard told the commissioners that the open door policy and the number of animals--up to the 80-animal cap--was up to the county. 

The commission first met privately to discuss a personnel issue.

VanDeWalker told 13WMAZ's Judy Le that he resigned after the interim shelter director Deborah Biggs instituted an "open-door" policy allowing anyone to leave an animal.

"I don't think an owner should be allowed to just bring his dog down and drop it off to be euthanized or taken a chance on it being adopted," VanDeWalker said.

VanDeWalker said he decided to quit on Friday after Biggs gave him the responsibility of deciding which animals to euthanize.

"I do disagree with is selecting dogs for euthanasia. When you're killing every week and you're the one deciding which cat or dog dies, that really weighs on you a great deal," he said.

"I tried my best to get each animal out. I think that's what a shelter should do." 

Barrere said VanDeWalker's resignation was effective immediately.

Barrere could not comment on why VanDeWalker resigned and did not release VanDeWalker's letter of resignation. 

"He's already turned in his uniform and his keys," said Barrere.

VanDeWalker won support among some local animal advocates for his efforts to prevent euthanization.

He says Bibb County Commissioner Lonzy Edwards told him that Macon Animal Control is a low-kill shelter and that's something he still stands by.