July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Protection asked for area animals (11/25/2008)
Jay County Commissioners
By By STEVE GARBACZ-
Moves are being made to try to improve animal welfare in the county.
Representatives from the Jay County Humane Society and Jay County Sheriff's Department discussed problems involving a lack of process to identify and prosecute people for the mistreatment of animals with the commissioners Monday afternoon.
"Adequate care is what we're searching for," said rural Redkey rresident Beckie Paxson, who presented the commissioners with several photos of mistreated animals who had been starved or neglected. Paxson expressed concern at the lack of prosecution for people who have been caught neglecting their animals.
"We just want basic care. We don't want animals to suffer," said Paxson, who as a volunteer with the humane society has gone out to investigate animal neglect complaints.
From the law enforcement side, Sheriff Ray Newton and chief deputy Rob Bicknell said part of the problem is a lack of expertise. Officers aren't able to accurately identify whether an animal has been mistreated unless it is at an extreme level. Because of that, they've worked closely with the humane society to help identify problems.
However, there's "a lot of gray area," said Carol Stocker from the humane society.
Bicknell, who deals with most of the mistreatment reports, said it would be nice to have a task force of several parties - including the sheriff's department, prosecutor's office, humane society and a veterinarian. He said he would like to be able to work with the humane society on a call, then get a veterinarian's official opinion in order to obtain a court order to seize the animal and follow with legal charges against the owner.
The commissioners also expressed concern on where they might be able to house seized animals and for how long and wanted to speak with Rob Smith at the Jay County Retirement Center to see if they could house larger animals on the grounds.
Smith, who stopped by shortly after the meeting, said that would be fine.
"I think you had a good idea about getting a committee together," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr.
"We can pass an ordinance, no problem, but the law enforcement side is the trouble," added commissioner Gary Theurer.
"With an ordinance ... you're creating awareness that you're not going to stand for that abuse," said commissioner Faron Parr.
"You want to try to get a committee together?" asked Miller.
"Sure," said Bicknell, who will attempt to get together with prosecutor Bob Clamme to start planning.
In other business Monday afternoon, the commissioners:
•Heard a presentation from representatives from Fifth Third Bank about bond financing options. The commissioners took the information under advisement.
•Approved an appointment of Marsha Fuller to the Dunkirk library board.
•Made Smith purchasing agent to buy a new washing machine for the retirement center. The new machine will cost about $6,000.
•Were informed by emergency management agency director Ralph Frazee the county had received approval for a $130,000 grant to purchase new 800 MHz radios. Frazee said he will wait until January to purchase the radios.
•Appointed attorney Bill Hinkle to the Jay County Hospital Board of Trustees to replace Dean Jetter, who will be leaving the board effective Jan. 1.[[In-content Ad]]Jay County Commissioners have entered into a contract with SchenkelSchultz for work and supervision on a jail renovation/ expansion project.
After final review by attorney Bill Hinkle, the commissioners agreed to a contract, with local resident Jeff Badders serving as representative for SchenkelSchultz.
The contract for work on the jail expansion totals $585,500, which includes $6,000 for 18 months of supervision on the project..
The commissioners decided to add the additional supervision to SchenkelShultz's plate instead of hiring PMSI Inc. at a cost of $175,000.
Commissioner Gary Theurer said SchenkelShultz offered the similar service at a lower price.
And, they know where Badders lives, joked commissioner Milo Miller Jr.
The commissioners are currently working to find members to fill a jail building corporation board which will work to oversee the bonding process.
Representatives from the Jay County Humane Society and Jay County Sheriff's Department discussed problems involving a lack of process to identify and prosecute people for the mistreatment of animals with the commissioners Monday afternoon.
"Adequate care is what we're searching for," said rural Redkey rresident Beckie Paxson, who presented the commissioners with several photos of mistreated animals who had been starved or neglected. Paxson expressed concern at the lack of prosecution for people who have been caught neglecting their animals.
"We just want basic care. We don't want animals to suffer," said Paxson, who as a volunteer with the humane society has gone out to investigate animal neglect complaints.
From the law enforcement side, Sheriff Ray Newton and chief deputy Rob Bicknell said part of the problem is a lack of expertise. Officers aren't able to accurately identify whether an animal has been mistreated unless it is at an extreme level. Because of that, they've worked closely with the humane society to help identify problems.
However, there's "a lot of gray area," said Carol Stocker from the humane society.
Bicknell, who deals with most of the mistreatment reports, said it would be nice to have a task force of several parties - including the sheriff's department, prosecutor's office, humane society and a veterinarian. He said he would like to be able to work with the humane society on a call, then get a veterinarian's official opinion in order to obtain a court order to seize the animal and follow with legal charges against the owner.
The commissioners also expressed concern on where they might be able to house seized animals and for how long and wanted to speak with Rob Smith at the Jay County Retirement Center to see if they could house larger animals on the grounds.
Smith, who stopped by shortly after the meeting, said that would be fine.
"I think you had a good idea about getting a committee together," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr.
"We can pass an ordinance, no problem, but the law enforcement side is the trouble," added commissioner Gary Theurer.
"With an ordinance ... you're creating awareness that you're not going to stand for that abuse," said commissioner Faron Parr.
"You want to try to get a committee together?" asked Miller.
"Sure," said Bicknell, who will attempt to get together with prosecutor Bob Clamme to start planning.
In other business Monday afternoon, the commissioners:
•Heard a presentation from representatives from Fifth Third Bank about bond financing options. The commissioners took the information under advisement.
•Approved an appointment of Marsha Fuller to the Dunkirk library board.
•Made Smith purchasing agent to buy a new washing machine for the retirement center. The new machine will cost about $6,000.
•Were informed by emergency management agency director Ralph Frazee the county had received approval for a $130,000 grant to purchase new 800 MHz radios. Frazee said he will wait until January to purchase the radios.
•Appointed attorney Bill Hinkle to the Jay County Hospital Board of Trustees to replace Dean Jetter, who will be leaving the board effective Jan. 1.[[In-content Ad]]Jay County Commissioners have entered into a contract with SchenkelSchultz for work and supervision on a jail renovation/ expansion project.
After final review by attorney Bill Hinkle, the commissioners agreed to a contract, with local resident Jeff Badders serving as representative for SchenkelSchultz.
The contract for work on the jail expansion totals $585,500, which includes $6,000 for 18 months of supervision on the project..
The commissioners decided to add the additional supervision to SchenkelShultz's plate instead of hiring PMSI Inc. at a cost of $175,000.
Commissioner Gary Theurer said SchenkelShultz offered the similar service at a lower price.
And, they know where Badders lives, joked commissioner Milo Miller Jr.
The commissioners are currently working to find members to fill a jail building corporation board which will work to oversee the bonding process.
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