Residents urge action on animal-shelter transfer and a hazardous encampment during public comment

Clear Lake — During public comment, residents asked city leaders to act after animal transfers and described neighborhood safety hazards tied to an encampment.

Jean Yanich asked the council and Clear Lake Police Department to file charges against Mark Scott and North Bay Animal Services, alleging that records for a transfer of 114 dogs were not provided to the Clear Lake animal director, that vaccination records were missing (which she said led to giardia and parvo outbreaks), and that more than 50 emaciated dogs were taken in by out-of-county rescues. Yanich said citizens were asking the council to hold North Bay Animal Services criminally and financially responsible and wanted the claim on the record.

Homeowner Rachel Widener described a homeless encampment behind Foods Etcetera on Snook Avenue that has grown over months, saying at least eight dogs roam the site and a neighbor required rabies vaccinations after being bitten. Widener said children and frequent foot traffic near the store make the situation dangerous and asked for city action; a neighboring resident and a church representative also described repeated encounters with loose dogs and public-safety concerns.

Several commenters praised recent animal-control and code-enforcement work and thanked staff for cleanup and organizational efforts. Council and staff acknowledged the complaints; staff said animal-control efforts and code enforcement are active, and the council did not take immediate formal enforcement votes during public comment. The council and staff encouraged residents to report incidents and to work with city animal-control and code-enforcement staff for follow-up.