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County officials say courthouse cat removed after judge warns of health and liability risks
Summary
Chief Judge Thomas Cunningham told county officials the animal posed a health hazard in the courthouse; the sheriff and state's attorney confirmed the cat was removed and the board instructed no animals in county buildings.
The county’s judicial and public-safety committees addressed an ongoing dispute over a cat kept inside the courthouse after Chief Judge Thomas Cunningham said an animal in the building creates health and liability risks.
Judge Cunningham told officials that a cat in courthouse areas should not be permitted because it could threaten people with allergies and could create a hostile work environment. The judge asked that the cat be removed from the courthouse property.
Sheriff Clint Brezinski and State’s Attorney Mike Quinlan reported the animal has been removed. Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Mansberger said she spoke with Cunningham and that Cunningham would send further correspondence; Quinlan said he believed the cat had been removed but was unsure whether it would be returned.
The county board discussed who has operational authority for the courthouse; board members said the sheriff’s office has jurisdiction over the jail and courthouse and that the county board supports the sheriff’s direction that no animals be kept in county buildings for health and safety reasons.
Committee minutes show the matter was discussed during the judicial/public-safety committee meeting and was raised again in county board business; no formal change to county code was recorded at the meeting.
