Dog that bit deputy deemed vicious, is to be euthanized
~by Janice Harbaugh for Greene County News Online
The first appeal under a new vicious animal ordinance in Greene County, passed by the board of supervisors in January, was heard at the regular board meeting June 29.
Due to an incident in which a deputy was bitten on the back of the calf in March, county sheriff Jack Williams had determined a dog owned by Mark Marrow to be vicious. The ordinance defines this as an animal that bites two people on separate occasions without provocation.
Williams showed the board a video clip of the alleged attack of the deputy on March 13. Marrow spoke in defense of his dog, citing circumstances surrounding the encounter.
After hearing both sides of the issue, the board went into closed session. When they returned from deliberation, chair John Muir said the board was unanimous in support of Williams’ decision. The penalty for the animal is euthanasia.
Muir told Marrow he would receive a written explanation of the board’s decision within five days. This would include instructions about appealing the decision.
In other business, county attorney Thomas Laehn spoke of House File 2502, a bill recently signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, which says the county cannot prohibit people from bringing firearms or other dangerous weapons into the courthouse unless the county screens everyone entering and provides armed security inside the building.
If the board does not want to provide armed security, Laehn advised the removal of decals on the courthouse doors stating firearms and dangerous weapons are prohibited.
Laehn also spoke about his policy regarding defendants’ paying court costs for charges that are dismissed. Laehn said, “No defendant is required to pay the costs associated with dismissed charges unless the defendant agrees to pay the costs pursuant to a plea agreement.”
Greene County News Online asked for clarification of that policy and mentioned the potential for misuse. The policy offers a plea agreement to a defendant for certain charges in return for the defendant paying court costs of other charges that will be dismissed.
Laehn responded, “There are underlying allegations people could make,” referring to the observation of “possible misuse.”
The board unanimously approved a transfer of $1,250 to Northland Securities for 2020 Continued Disclosure Reporting Fees regarding ongoing tax increment financing (TIF) agreements in place. Funds will come from the general fund and from capital projects fund to the debt service fund.
The board also unanimously approved a grant application to the Iowa Secretary of State Initiative for $2,400 to cover expenses for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies for the protection of poll workers and voters during the primary election and general election in Greene County during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
