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Residents urge Platte County to address animal control gap; commissioners say they are gathering information
Summary
Two residents told the commission there is effectively no animal control service in parts of Platte County after a local veterinarian stopped accepting strays; commissioners said they are researching options and talking with law enforcement and local shelters.
Two residents raised concerns during public comment at the Platte County Commission meeting on Oct. 6 about what they described as a lack of animal-control options in parts of the county.
Phyllis Veral told commissioners that stray dogs showed up at her home in September and that she was unable to find local help. "There is no animal control available in Platte County at this time," Veral said. She said she contacted the sheriff's office and other local providers and received no workable solution.
Heath Martin, an adjacent property owner, said he had a similar experience after a local veterinarian retired and the successor practice ceased taking stray dogs. Martin urged the commission to create a narrow response option so citizens who have done due diligence can request sheriff's department assistance to pick up abandoned or sick animals. "There should be money allocated to the sheriff's farm to come pick it up," he said, adding that euthanasia could be an unfortunate but necessary option in some cases if animals are clearly abandoned and suffering.
A commissioner who identified themself as the county's animal-advocate said they have been collecting information on the issue since January, including conversations with the sheriff, Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter ("Faux Paws") and the veterinarian who bought Dr. Jackson's clinic. The commissioner said Dr. Jackson took in roughly 50 to 60 dogs per year and that the new clinic owner, Dr. Partch, stopped accepting strays in 2022 due to strain on staff and finances. The commissioner said Friends of Parkville has no spare kennel capacity because of an agreement with the City of Parkville.
The commissioner said they are not advocating the county build and run a shelter but are exploring options such as restoring an animal-control line item in the sheriff's budget or finding collaborative agreements with other area shelters and veterinarians. No formal action or budget vote occurred; commissioners agreed to continue researching the issue and said staff would bring back information for discussion.
