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Commissioners say proposed ordinance change won’t alter Humane Society’s no‑kill practices; county to handle dog bites and vicious dogs
Summary
Commissioners and staff clarified that an ordinance revision under consideration applies only to dog bites and ‘vicious dogs,’ and does not change the Humane Society’s ability to retain animals; the board said the county will assume liability for impounded biting or vicious dogs to relieve the shelter.
During the budget hearing commissioners and staff addressed public concern about a pending ordinance change related to animal control. Several commissioners said social‑media posts had inaccurately described the change as imposing time limits or creating a pathway to euthanize family‑pets held by the Humane Society.
County Administrator Michael and commissioners said the proposed change would not change the Humane Society’s status as a no‑kill shelter and that the change only affects how the county handles dog bites and animals the county classifies as vicious. "The only dogs that the county is taking or that this would have any effect on this change are dog bites and vicious dogs," Michael said, and he added that the county and Humane Society had discussed an understanding that the county would assume responsibility for those particular animals when impounded.
Why it matters
The clarification responds to public confusion and protects the Humane Society’s stated operations; it also clarifies the county’s liability and operational role for dangerous or bite‑related animals.
Outcome
No ordinance amendment vote occurred at the hearing; commissioners said they had met with Humane Society leaders and that the change aims to reduce shelter liability for dangerous animals, not to affect the shelter’s ability to care for or keep other animals.
