The West Tisbury selectmen have terminated the town animal control officer, who had been on the job for nine months.

The selectmen voted on July 14 to fire Prudence Fisher. A formal letter was sent this week confirming the decision.

Following a brief executive session last Friday with Ms. Fisher in attendance, selectman Jeffrey (Skiper) Manter read a statement that said in part: “The board of selectmen has voted to terminate Prudence Fisher as the town’s animal control officer. She was serving during a probationary period and was unable to perform the required duties of the job.”

Ms. Fisher was hired in October of 2016 to replace longtime animal control officer Joan Jenkinson who retired. There were five finalists for the job. At the time, the selectmen listed her lifelong experience with animals and her dedication to the town as impressive qualities.

Among other things, selectmen said they had learned that Ms. Fisher’s Massachusetts driver’s license had been revoked due to a civil infraction out of state. Although the problem was resolved and she was expecting to have her license reinstated, selectmen said she had been unable to perform the required duties of her job. “It was part of the whole issue,” Mr. Manter said this week, speaking of the license problem. It is a requirement of the animal control officer to have a valid driver’s license. The selectmen suspended Ms. Fisher for two days without pay until last Friday.

Her six-month probationary period was extended by three months on April 19, at the suggestion of town counsel so the board could evaluate her performance during the busy season.

Assistant animal control officer Tony Cordray has been appointed acting animal control officer. Mr. Cordray had also been a candidate for the position when Ms. Fisher was hired.

Mr. Manter said the selectmen plan to discuss a permanent replacement at their next meeting.