By Angela Hatton
Madisonville, KY – The former Hopkins County Humane Society shelter manager says she was fired last week. Misty Payne tells the Madisonville Messenger she did not resign as the Humane Society board president previously claimed. Board president Christine Thorowgood had said Payne's departure was a mutual separation. Payne was hired as shelter manager in February, but she says the board had not agreed with her management decisions. The board asked her to resign at a closed door meeting over the weekend. Payne believes the decision to ask her to leave came after the shelter closed for two days due to a distemper scare. Workers euthanized 38 dogs during that time. Payne claims the euthanization was necessary, while the board maintains action was taken without consulting a veterinarian. Thorowgood says the euthanizations were not the sole reason the board asked Payne to leave.