GALLATIN, Tenn. -- Some people are upset that an improvement at the Sumner County Animal Shelter may not happen because of the county's budget shortfall.

Video: Money Woes May Stall Animal Shelter Upgrades

After an I-Team investigation exposed inhumane and illegal euthanizations at the Sumner County animal shelter, outrage turned into a cry for change.

But one major improvement may no longer happen because of the shortfall in the county's budget.

A couple of weeks into the fiscal year, and Sumner County still doesn't have a finalized budget.

The county has a $3 million shortfall in the general fund, and $8 million shortfall in the schools’ budget and Monday night during a budget committee hearing, a cutback was made at the animal shelter that's infuriated many in the community.

Overpopulation was one thing that was blamed.

"Animal control is almost like a red-headed stepchild. It's just tossed to the side," said animal advocate Peg Olea.

Olea said she thought Sheriff Bob Barker taking over animal control in November was a good move.

"The whole community of looking forward to change and accountability at animal control, and then to hear this, we're just all in shock," she said.

The County Budget Committee recommended cutting Barker's budget by $400,000 in an e-mail sent to commissioners on Tuesday morning. Barker said he's now forced to cut the animal control takeover.

The jail eats most of his budget and cuts there are not an option, he said.

"You don't want to cut the jail where you might have litigation for civil rights violations on state and federal level," Barker said.

Animal control may remain in the hands of the county executive's office. They were in charge when the euthanization practices were discovered.

"There's no ticketing. There's no accountability, and the adoption hours are ridiculous. You can't can't even go there on the weekends," Olea said.

Officers had started training, but progress has its price.

"Through these cuts, I have no choice but to take that back off the table," Barker said.

There is a full County Commission meeting on Monday, and the animal control issue is expected to come up.

One commissioner said that if the county executive office remains in charge of animal control, he will push for outside help from a nonprofit like the Humane Society to help run it.

Barker said that barring any changes to the budget recommendations, he may also have to cut $89,000 worth of other services in addition to animal control.