By Terry Witt – Spotlight Senior

            Darlene Esler, longtime veterinarian for Levy County Animal Services, unexpectedly resigned on July 21 after an issue developed at the office apparently involving her.

            County Coordinator Wilbur Dean declined to discuss what triggered her resignation.

            “It’s an active situation there, so I’m not going to comment,” Dean said. “She has resigned but there is the other issue and I’m not going to comment about it until we get to the bottom of it.”

            Dean said Esler wasn’t forced to resign.

            “That was her decision to do that and she was not forced or asked to,” Dean said.

            The county coordinator said he has asked all the employees in Animal Services to give him a statement about the incident in question. A report will be written and submitted by Animal Services.

            It’s not clear whether Animal Services Director David Weatherford was present when the issue involving Esler surfaced, whether he witnessed what happened, or had any involvement.

            Dean said he should know by next week what occurred after the final report is submitted. He will know at that point how the county will handle the situation.

            Esler voluntarily resigned effective Aug. 4 but is apparently using up accumulated leave and is no longer actively working at the shelter as a veterinarian.

            The county has placed an advertisement asking for veterinarians to apply for the job, which comes with an annual base salary of $80,000 plus state retirement and other benefits.

            Without a veterinarian, Animal Services has no one available to euthanize animals or care for them if they are sick or injured. Dean said the county might have to contract with a local veterinarian to handle the job.

            “It just happened at the end of last week and it really hasn’t compromised it, but we’re looking at different options from vouchers to hiring a different veterinarian. We’re looking at all the options,” he said.

            He wasn’t certain how long Esler had worked for Animal Services. It has been quite a few years. She was a central figure in the operation of the Animal Services.

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Enterprise Reporting July 29, 2023