Harrisburg's past-due bill with the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, Inc., has been settled in full.

Margaret Moran, of Tempe, AZ, called the Patriot-News Thursday morning and said she and her husband, Vincent, would settle the city’s $800 outstanding bill at the facility.

They are the parents of Darlene Ewalt, who was murdered on the deck of her West Hanover Twp. home by a serial killer in 2007. Moran asked the Patriot-News to pass her information to the Humane Society, which is difficult to reach by telephone.

Humane Society executive director Amy Kaunas exclaimed, “That’s wonderful!” when the Patriot-News spoke with her.

There remains little to prevent the Humane Society from resuming its services to the city.

The city’s bill is paid in full, and Kaunas said she thinks a new contract is very close to being signed. “I’m thinking tomorrow’s going to be the day,” she said.

Harrisburg officials have been dealing with outrage over a city policy that gives police officers three options to deal with stray animals: kill them, adopt them or dump them. The policy was in place in part because the city doesn't have an agreement with the Humane Society so that strays could be taken to the shelter in Swatara Township.

The Humane Society had terminated service to the city in October because the city hadn't paid its bill.