Reggie Horton is the former Director of the Gaston County Police Animal Control Division. Horton worked his way through the ranks upon joining Animal Control in 1986, being promoted to Lead Worker and then Sergeant before being named Director in 1996. As Director, Horton was instrumental in organizing local veterinarians to participate in reduced cost Rabies Clinics and a No Cost Spay-Neuter Program for low-income pet owners and worked closely with area Rescue/Humane animal groups in advancing cooperative, volunteer partnerships to enhance shelter adoptions and supplement staff activities. He also helped design Gaston County’s Emergency Animal Response operations, coordinated animal/volunteer related disaster efforts through the State Animal Response Team and helped develop a “New Leash on Life” program, whereby shelter dogs receive obedience training through pairing with participating prison inmates.

A graduate of UNCC with a BA in political science/history, Horton completed Basic Law Enforcement Training in 1986, and received the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the North Carolina Criminal Justice and Training Standards Commission in 1993. In addition to being a member of the North Carolina Animal and Rabies Control Association, Horton was a member of the National Animal Control Association, has served as a co-chair for Gaston County’s United Way campaign and is a graduate of Leadership Gaston.

Horton retired from active duty in February, 2014 and was awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, by His Excellency Governor Pat McCrory. Horton currently serves as Vice-Chair on the Commissioner appointed Gaston County Animal Care and Enforcement Task Force Advisory Board.

R.C. (Reggie) Horton

Gaston County

PO Box 811 (mailing address)

Dallas, NC 28034

Email: rhorton@carolina.rr.com