Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident presses county over alleged roaming dogs, animal-control response; staff to follow up
Summary
A Putnam County resident told commissioners she has repeatedly reported roaming dogs that she says kill cats and damage property; animal-control staff said officers have visited and will work with the resident but noted patrol limitations and that traps and baiting have operational constraints.
During the July 8 meeting's public-comment period, resident Deanna Brose told commissioners she has lodged repeated complaints about roaming dogs that she says have been killing cats and damaging her property in West Putnam and expressed frustration with the pace and effectiveness of county animal-control enforcement.
Brose said she had contacted the county officer assigned to the case "numerous times" and that she had seen little progress: "I've contacted officer Johnson numerous times, who is the officer that is handling my case, and she doesn't respond. She has told me that she has been to the trap and baited it." Brose said she expects traps to be placed in well-lit areas with cameras, checked daily, and baited sufficiently to capture animals; she said she had video evidence showing traps that, in her view, were not baited properly.
Julianne Young of Animal Control (staff) told the commission multiple officers had been involved and had patrolled the area. Young said the department does not run routine night patrols and responds for higher-level emergencies (bites, cruelty) but would continue to work with Brose to resolve the case and provide updates. "Multiple officers have been involved in this case and have been in the area," staff said, and offered to provide Brose with a log of visits.
Brose said the animals in question sometimes wear collars and that she wanted a resolution other than resorting to shooting or harassing animals. "I don't want to have to shoot them or anything, and I wouldn't do that... I just want a resolution from animal control to get something done," she told commissioners.
Commissioner Alexander asked county legal staff about a resident's rights to protect property and staff advised residents they generally have the right to defend themselves and property but noted the county could not provide legal advice in that forum. The chair directed Brose to work directly with Julianne Young to coordinate follow-up. Animal-control staff listed follow-up tasks and said they would continue investigating and attempt to resolve the trapping and nuisance concerns.
No formal action or policy change was taken at the meeting; staff committed to further outreach and to providing Brose with updates on enforcement activity.
