County Hires New Animal Control Officer
File Photo: Kentucky State Seal in the courtroom at Mercer County Fiscal Courthouse.
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
The Mercer County Fiscal Court has hired a new animal control officer.
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 22, the fiscal court hired Cody Stumph as animal control officer effective Jan. 5, 2026, at $20 an hour.
Marty Hurst resigned as animal control officer earlier this month. Hurst was hired in September 2024 and became full-time animal control officer in June. He was recognized by the fiscal court in October for handling a local homeowner’s deceased pet when the homeowner was away. Hurst’s resignation goes into effect Dec. 26, 2026. He will help train his replacement before he leaves.
Last month, the fiscal court hired Carson Cutts as the new director for the Mercer County Animal Control Center.
The magistrates also agreed to hire an additional part-time position at the shelter. On Tuesday, Judge-Executive Sarah Steele said there is room in the budget to hire someone. The county will post the position and start the application process. Steele said they probably won’t make a hire until the end of January 2026.
There have been many changes at the county animal shelter over the last few months. In November, the fiscal court hired Carson Cutts as the new director. The magistrates had voted to terminate the former director, Amber Sweetman, while she was still in the probationary period in October.
Sweetman subsequently asked to be reinstated at a special-called meeting, but the fiscal court took no action. They subsequently hired Cutts as the new director, effective Monday, Dec. 1, at a salary of $45,000 a year. The magistrates also voted to change the animal shelter’s Facebook page to informational-only.
On Tuesday, the fiscal court also voted to purchase a new truck for animal control. The magistrates agreed to buy a 2025 Dodge Ram 1500 from Auto Connection in Junction for $24,915. Judge Steele said the purchase is in the budget.
