Residents press Clermont County commissioners over animal-shelter care, volunteer access

Several Clermont County residents used the public-comment period at the board’s Nov. 13 meeting to urge swifter action on animal-shelter management and volunteer access. Dennis Burnett, of 2152 Union Chapel Road, raised a separate code-enforcement dispute and also criticized county permit staff’s handling of neighbor complaints and follow-up inspections. “They’re acting on vengeance,” Burnett said, alleging repeated citations and a court filing that he said was later dropped.

Nikki Potts, of 902 Carpenter Road in Miami Township, detailed animal-health concerns inside the county shelter, saying dogs have contracted hookworms and heartworm and urging the county to ensure staff have veterinary training and “fear-free” handling skills. Potts also urged better oversight of livestock placements sent to rescues outside Clermont County, citing an allegedly mishandled horse that injured a child.

Chris Hicks pressed the board to put shelter operations out to bid so a competent humane society would manage the facility rather than rely on an interim director. He challenged commissioners to allow him to film the shelter’s back area and used profane language to emphasize his frustration. “These guys do not give a rat’s *** about the animals,” Hicks said.

Chair followed up by asking Angie, a county staff member, to address volunteer access. Angie said volunteers remain active in the shelter but the county is revisiting volunteer agreements with outside counsel and plans updated agreements and orientations; she told the board she hopes to schedule the next volunteer orientation “probably early December.”

The board did not take formal action on shelter management during the meeting. Commissioners directed staff to continue revising volunteer policies and did not set a public date for a site visit or filming requested by members of the public.