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Farmer asks county for help after cattle chased, taken from Peoria property; questions animal-control response
Summary
A Fulton County organic farmer who kept cattle in Peoria County said two dogs chased and injured his animals and that county animal-control staff declined to impound the dogs; he said he has filed police and state attorney reports and wants his calves returned.
A farmer who said he keeps cattle on leased Peoria County property told the county board that two dogs belonging to a neighbor chased and injured his animals and that Peoria County animal-control did not impound the dogs when staff responded.
Nut graf: Randy Dussman said he keeps cattle at a Peoria County residence owned by William Ollman and described multiple incidents in which dogs chased and harmed his cattle. He said one calf was killed in a prior incident and another was injured, and that he reported the incidents to the Peoria County state attorney and to county animal-control staff. Dussman said the animal-control officer on the scene, whom he identified as "Jenny," declined to impound the dogs and that the animals were removed from the scene shortly afterward.
Dussman told the board he has camera images showing dogs with blood on their faces and that when "Jenny" arrived she "specifically said... I will not impound these animals," then called someone and the animals were removed. He said the property owner, whom he identified as William Ollman, has "no trespassing" signs and that he believes proper impound procedures were not followed. Dussman described the loss as economic and operational: he said the calves provide manure and grazing cycles critical to his organic operation and that the animals are necessary to his farm cycle.
Attribution and evidence: Dussman said he filed a police report and contacted the Peoria County state attorney; he said he has photos and camera footage but did not present them at the meeting. He requested the calves be returned or that county officials take action to resolve the matter.
Discussion vs. decision: These remarks were made during public comment. The transcript does not record board action or staff response at this meeting on the farmer's request.
Ending: Dussman asked the board to intervene; the transcript excerpt does not show a formal board follow-up vote or assignment during the meeting.
