GASTONIA, N.C. -- Gaston County Commissioners are considering a mandatory spay-neuter program. The suggestion came after a heated and emotional debate between animal advocates and the county animal control Thursday night.

The two sides aired their issues to the county commission. Animal rights advocates said the county doesn't take proper care of its animals. They said animal control workers often put down animals when they don't need to.

Eyewitness News spoke to both sides after the three hour meeting. And they agreed on one thing - the debate brought up ways to improve and update the way the county runs animal control.

"To explain kind of how it is that we are working on eight-track technology in a Blu-ray world," said Ann Isenhour of the Animal League.

"All the passion that’s involved, its bringing animal related issues to the forefront to the commissioners, as well as ours, it can only mean good things for the animal community," said Reggie Horton of Gaston County Animal Control.

Over the next month, commissioners will consider that mandatory spay-neuter program. Both sides also agree a new shelter is badly needed.