An agreement between the City of Atmore and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians will eliminate the need for animal control services from the Humane Society of Escambia County.

Atmore Mayor Howard Shell said the agreement would allow the two entities to “handle things on this end.”

Shell said the details of the newly formed deal are still being worked out, but added the program will be run from the site of the former Humane Society of Escambia County shelter on Cindebrand Road, just off Highway 31.

The agreement between Atmore and PCI comes only months after the HSEC pulled out of Atmore because of a lack of funding.

As Atmore and Poarch have been working to fill the void left by the HSEC’s absence, the City of Brewton has been forced to reject funding requested by the organization.

Brewton City Councilman Dennis Dunaway said the decision had to be made.

“We had been asked by the Humane Society to pay back lease payments from May to August at about $10,000,” Dunaway said. “They were also asking the city to maintain Dumpster service, maintenance costs, water, heating and air. Additionally, they wanted the city to pay $60,000 annually for their services. We have to deny all of those requests.”

Joe Thomas, president of the HSEC, said the decision wasn’t completely unexpected.

“We had discussed this type of scenario and knew that it might come to this at some point,” Thomas said. “It’s regrettable that it’s worked out this way.”

Shell a date for the service in Atmore and Poarch  to begin has not been determined.

“We’re still laying the groundwork right now,” Shell said.