Vicious dog enforcement is problematic

~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline

The Greene County board of supervisors held an in-person meeting on July 6 in the courthouse boardroom with Zoom audio access for the public. Electronic access will continue through July.

At the board meeting on June 29, it was determined a dog owned by Mark Morrow is considered a vicious animal under county ordinance 2020-01. The dog was placed at a local vet clinic during the appeals process pending euthanasia.

County attorney Thomas Laehn and board chair John Muir reported a letter was sent to Morrow outlining the appeals process. It was first thought the owner had seven days to appeal but Laehn found state law requires 30 days.

County sheriff Jack Williams told the board the vet no longer wants to hold the animal.

The board discussed courses of action and the cost of boarding the animal for 30 days. Muir said, “We have no written agreement with the vet.” It was not clear when the dog will need to be moved.

The board did not decide on where to board the Morrow dog but acknowledged a clearer procedure will be necessary for any future animals determined by the board to be vicious.

Engineer Wade Weiss reported the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower sign will be up Tuesday.

In regular business, the cash count on June 30 was approved. The recorder’s report of fees and the Employee Salary and Wages Schedule for FY21 were also approved.

Ambulance director Michele Madsen reported the current COVID-19 case count is 29 with 21 recoveries.

Farmers market coordinator Chris Henning reported electronically she will meet with the courthouse custodial staff about beginning farmers markets on Tuesday, July 14, from 4 to 6:30 pm.

Henning said, “We have three vendors at this point. We’ll use masks and social distancing.”

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