County task force to study animal control
By PAMELA BRUST pbrust@newsandsentinel.comPARKERSBURG - Wood County commissioners Thursday announced they will pay the Humane Society of Parkersburg an additional $21,972 on the existing contract to assure the society continues providing after-hours animal control services through June 30, 2010.
Commissioners also announced they will appoint a study task force to look at a longer term solution to animal control services.
"In February we received the requested increase from the Humane Society. The additional funds, over and above what we already agreed to allocate for the coming year, will be taken from the cash carryover in the budget. This will take us to June 30, 2010," Commissioner Blair Couch said.
Originally, county officials said the additional amount would be about $12,000, but on Thursday, after rechecking budget numbers, it was determined that $21,972 would be needed to bring the contract amount up to the original request.
The county provides funding from the general county fund and assessor's dog tag fund to pay for animal control services provided by the Humane Society. State code requires the county provide animal control services and the commission contracts those duties out to the Humane Society.
The commission-appointed task force will be made up of representatives from the Humane Society, county commission, sheriff's office, prosecutor's office, cities of Parkersburg, Vienna, Williamstown and North Hills, Farm Bureau, West Virginia University Extension Service and others.
"We will ask for a report within six months, before our budget process begins next year, to provide us solutions. They will be asked to have public stakeholder meetings to get input from the community as well," Couch said.
The society previously notified the county, as of July 1, it will no longer provide after-hours humane officer services and effective July 1, 2010 would cease all animal control services for the governmental entities.
The county increased the budget allotment for the services to the society this year, but not as much as requested. Among all the governmental entities, officials said nearly $200,000 is paid to the Humane Society for the services.
Humane Society officials said earlier the shelter has been dipping more and more into endowments and like funding sources set aside for improvements and expansion of community services at the shelter, because they found themselves running in the red.
Commissioners have met with three private animal control service providers while exploring other options for the call out after-hours services.
Couch said the commissioners didn't want to "hastily" enter an agreement with an outside vendor that didn't assure maintenance of all services currently provided could be met.
"So, although the cost is great and we are concerned with the expenses, we believe the care of the animals is A-plus and this is the best compromise solution with July 1 only five days away," Couch said. "And we need to make sure this task force comes up with some long-term solutions within six months."
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ChristinaHall
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06-26-09 7:58 PM
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I think I need to clairify something. At no point did I ever call after hours or call just about strays. I only called during reg. hours and only if my children and or animals was in danger. The dogs that I called about are not really even strays. They are owned by people out here that never take care of them. They run free at all times, never have been to a vet for any shots, nor do they have dog tags, & they are not spayed or nue. If they would come out they could fine the owners and get some more money. I did ask to talk to a officer there and they told me to shot the dogs if they was killing my livestock!
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gorilla
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06-26-09 10:50 AM
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The most difficult animal to train is the two legged pigs who fail to control their stray dogs and cats.
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Mrcyicare
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06-26-09 9:52 AM
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It is such a shame when citizens are asked to secure stray dogs especially when you do not know what temperment they may have. Many people complain about the poor attidude from the officers when dealing with the public. I think when we spend more money on animals instead of helping People in need is sad. I wish there was no need at all for the service, but when people think a puppy is cute and then find out they really do not want them we have no other choice.I agree 200,000 is alot of money but the also want close to 97,000 from Parkersburg citizens. Call your representives and let them know how you feel about spending Your tax dollars on this business.
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marcellacruella
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06-26-09 7:57 AM
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the hsop is not responsible and can only do so much for the strays that are in parkersburg, if they spent every minute on the endless calls about strays, they would have no time to deal with the real emergencies that arise. If you call during the hours posted for them to be open, im sure if you would call and ask to speak to an officer, you will get a response about the pit bull situation, if it is loose, then that's what you should do. But if you call after hours, just to complain about the strays, let me suggest you call the save the ferel kitty program, ask to speak to Candy Habeb. She may be able to help you.
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ChristinaHall
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06-26-09 7:49 AM
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Humane Society providing after-hours services ? I thought they stopped ALL services. I called them 5 different times about all the stray or not cared for dogs running around my place and not one time did anyone show up. Since my first phone call my duaghter was chased down the road by a pit bull, my live stock has been chased 4 different times by dogs, my sons 4-H goat was killed by a dog & all the kids from 3 different buses can not even get off the bus without the fear of a dog bitting them, But still no one has showed up! I say save the $200,000.00 for the police or Fire Dept. at least they show up when called!
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