Former County Animal Shelter Director Appeals Termination
File Photo: Kentucky State Seal in the courtroom at Mercer County Fiscal Courthouse.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
A county employee formally appealed her termination by the Mercer County Fiscal Court.
Amber Sweetman was still in the probationary period as director of the Mercer County Animal Control Center when the fiscal court voted to terminate her employment last week. Sweetman asked to be reinstated at a special-called meeting held Monday, Nov. 3, at 8 a.m.
On Facebook, Sweetman posted about her decision to appeal the court’s decision.
“Thank you to all who have supported me through this tough time,” Sweetman wrote. “I see each and every single one of you who have recognized my character, impact and integrity. I have hopes that the courts will, too.”
At the meeting, Sweetman was given approximately five minutes to make her formal appeal. She challenged the accuracy of the information that had been used by the court in her termination.
Sweetman said that on the first occasion she had been late in July was due to a family member undergoing medical treatment and that she had notified staff. She also said she had discussed her family member’s medical needs with county leadership before accepting the position as shelter director.
Sweetman said she had received a written reprimand for a late arrival on another occasion in October when she said her vehicle wouldn’t start. She said she was written up for being 15 minutes late but she was less than 10 minutes late and that she had informed staff and volunteers she was running late.
Sweetman protested what she called the inaccurate information in both reprimands.
“My attendance has always been consistent,” Sweetman told the fiscal court. She noted all her work tasks had been completed.
She addressed another written reprimand, which she said she’d received for using her personal online account to receive an electronic payment from a pet owner surrendering a dog to the shelter.
“All fees were recorded and no money was withheld,” Sweetman said. “I have not withheld county money.”
Sweetman said she used her personal account because the county has no way to take electronic payments. She said time was of the essence and that she managed to find the dog a “forever home” on the same day. Sweetman said the allegations against her never received a proper investigation and she asked to be reinstated.
“I did what was best for the animals,” Sweetman said.
After she finished, the fiscal court went into executive session, but there was no action taken. County officials declined to discuss Sweetman’s termination with the Harrodsburg Herald.
The magistrates voted to hire Sweetman initially as a part time animal shelter attendant in November of last year. In May 2025, they voted to hire Sweetman as interim animal control director. In October, the fiscal court voted to terminate Sweetman effective immediately.
While Sweetman’s tenure at the shelter was short, advocates noted she had made a positive impact. On the Animal Advocates of Mercer County KY and Neighbor Counties Facebook page, Sue Ann Robinson said not a single dog was put down in the six months Sweetman served as director.
It should also be noted that, despite social media comments to the contrary, Sweetman has not been charged with animal cruelty or any other crime.
The Harrodsburg Herald reached out to Sweetman, but she declined the opportunity to make a comment.
