Ruth Baker told the Logansport Board of Public Works and Safety on Sept. 24 that a long-condemned house at 121 East Linden Avenue is causing a persistent rodent, raccoon and possum infestation that has damaged her apartment and threatened her dog.

Baker told the Board the property has been condemned for four to five years and is directly affecting her health and safety. She asked the board to use its authority to force the owner to repair the structure and to order a professional extermination.

"The source is clearly that long neglected condemned house next door. It is directly impacting the health of me and my dog," Baker said. She described large rats chewing wiring and other damage to her ceiling and belongings and said she has paid for extermination supplies and temporary repairs.

Mayor Chris Martin and staff asked Baker to provide photos and documentation so they could contact relevant agencies. "If you can shoot me an email with the information that you have so that I can start sending it out to my sources," Martin said, and listed the Cass County Health Department, code enforcement, the building commissioner and the fire department as agencies to contact. Rob, a city staff member present during the discussion, told Baker he was trying to secure funds to address the property.

Dan Jack, who identified himself as the owner of a nearby rental, attended with Baker and said he had assisted her in bringing the matter forward.

The board did not make a formal motion to abate or demolish the property during the meeting. Instead, members asked Baker to email photographs and documentation and directed staff to contact the agencies Martin named to explore enforcement and remediation options.

Baker said she was concerned about the infestation spreading to neighbors and said earlier measures — a plywood board on a rear door and temporary repairs — had not addressed the ongoing problem. She also said she had sought help from code enforcement and the health department before the meeting.

The Board of Public Works and Safety did not set a timeline for further action during the Sept. 24 meeting; Mayor Martin asked staff to follow up after receiving Baker's documentation.