A record number of mostly dogs and cats -- 1,027 -- were picked up in a recent three-month period by Animal Control officers, and of those, 840, another record, were euthanized.

That is according to statistics for July, August and September that Animal Control Director Eddie Key presented Wednesday to the Greene County Commission's Animal Control Committee.

Key blamed a weak economy, including rising prices in caring for pets, such as food, for the record numbers.

Committee member Sam Riley agreed with Key that the higher pickup numbers were "due to the economy."

Committee member Margaret Greenway said, "I'm sure the dog food going up (in price) contributed ... The economy does have a play in this also."

Key said approximately 65 percent of the animals picked up were dogs, and almost all of the remaining ones were cats.

Of the animals picked up, 123 were "rescued," according to Key's figures.

Also at the meeting, Chairman Jan Kiker passed out copies of the spay and neuter law in Buncombe County, N.C., and a discussion followed.

Members agreed to each bring to November's Animal Control Committee meeting a name of someone they would like to see named to a new subcommittee to study the possibility of enacting a spay and neuter program in Greene County.

In addition, Greene County Attorney Roger Woolsey was instructed by the committee to see if the Greene County Commision has authority from the state to enact a county spay-and-neuter law.

Also, Fred Malone was welcomed as a new member to the committee. He was appointed by Kiker. Malone succeeds Tim White, who resigned.