"(The problems) will not end until they replace the people who are not able to do their jobs correctly," said Barbi Carroll, whose dog, Peykos, was mistakenly euthanized at the shelter in April.

Kim Arenz worked at the shelter for three years before being fired by Bybee in April. Rescue group volunteers who opposed the firing say Arenz was terminated for giving a pregnant cat to a rescue group without Bybee's permission — a violation of shelter policy.

Morgan says there's more to the story but didn't provide any specifics.

In an e-mail Bybee sent to a rescue volunteer concerning the firing, she wrote that Arenz refused to change "her county ways." A copy of the e-mail was provided to the Deseret Morning News.

Arenz, who stayed on when shelter operations shifted from Utah County to south county cities in the special service district, says she believes Bybee lacks the experience to effectively run the shelter.

"(Bybee) has no shelter skills," she said. "She has no clue what's going on there. It's hurting the animals and it's hurting the reputation of the shelter."

Arenz said she realizes her opinion of Bybee likely will be dismissed by the board — "I'm a disgruntled former employee," she said. But the problems that have occurred since Bybee was hired as director should speak for themselves, she said.

"We never had problems like this when the county ran it," Arenz said. "Never."

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E-mail: jpage@desnews.com