Public commenter alleges missing pentobarbital; commissioners order review and reassign animal services manager

A public commenter told the Nueces County Commissioners Court on June 7 that Animal Services could not account for 33.5 milliliters of pentobarbital over a four‑month span and detailed what she called failures in inventory and safety procedures.

"Between October 3rd [and] February 3rd, exactly 4 months, animal services cannot account for 33.5 milliliters of pentobarbital," speaker Liz Miller said during the public‑comment portion of the meeting, asserting the department failed to follow required documentation and raising environmental and public‑safety concerns.

Commissioners responded in real time by directing staff to investigate. One commissioner said the allegations were serious and asked that the county attorney and sheriff be involved so the court could receive a formal report back.

The court later moved the matter to an executive session to consult with legal counsel and to receive an independent analysis of the Animal Services Board and department. After returning to open session, Commissioners voted to reassign Juan Ramirez, the animal care services manager, to a role in Inland Parks and authorized Commissioners to hire temporary contract labor to serve as an acting director. The court directed that any acting director be someone not currently employed by the Animal Services Department.

County staff said the reassignment followed review and consultation with counsel; the court also tasked commissioners and staff to pursue a site review and produce a follow‑up report. No investigative findings were announced at the meeting and the court did not present a public report of the outcome during the open session.

The allegations raised two separate, parallel actions: (1) the public‑facing request for an investigation and (2) personnel changes the court implemented after private deliberation in executive session. The court's reassignment and the authorization to hire temporary leadership were the formal actions recorded on the public agenda.

The commissioners asked county staff and legal counsel to return with a public accounting of the investigation and any recommended policy or procedural changes, including any corrections to controlled‑substance handling and documentation processes.

What happens next: County staff will investigate the missing‑drug allegation and report back to the commissioners; the court authorized temporary contract leadership for Animal Services while the department transitions.