Roachdale council talks animal control

Sunday, December 14, 2014

ROACHDALE -- In addition to discussion of the utility rate increase, Roachdale's monthly town council meeting also addressed several other issues, including the resignation of Tammy Folck from the park board.

Folck cited personal reasons for leaving the board, and despite her enthusiasm and past work with its creation, she felt she could no longer provide the time necessary to maintain her role on the board.

Meanwhile, Marian Harvey was in attendance to offer her time, knowledge and home to help develop the Humane Society of Putnam County.

"I've been rescuing animals my whole life in Putnam County," Harvey told the board, speaking of her past involvement with animal rescue.

Harvey explained that she would like to see a Humane Society without walls and that there is a network of dedicated dog people and cat ladies that already open their homes to hosting and fostering animals.

Harvey said she is interested in helping form a bridge to connect the Putnam County Humane Society (which is in the process of reopening but must first finish renovations to its location at 4700 E. State Road 240), the animal control officer(s) and the network of foster homes.

The conversation also led to an explanation of the deputy status of the animal control officer.

When the animal control officer was given "merit deputy" status, there was concern by citizens and the town council alike, that the officer could get bogged down operating more as a member of law enforcement than as an animal control officer.

As a merit deputy, the officer would maintain the rights of a more traditional officer, including arresting powers.

Town Marshal Mike Mahoy explained that this issue has been addressed and that the decision ultimately lies in the hands of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department but that the animal control position does not actually need to be a merit deputy.

Regardless of the deputy status, the animal control officer will report to the animal care and control director Brien Holsapple.

In response to several questions asked by Harvey, Holsapple explained the role that animal control will take in the county.

"We're not going to see a change overnight," Holsapple told Harvey about the feral cat population in response to a question about setting traps and responding to calls by concerned citizens.

With Harvey's concern about reimbursement for fostering animals, it was explained that Holsapple has in the past provided kennels, dog houses and dog food for those housing animals, to remove an out-of-pocket cost for citizens.

Roachdale Town Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the Roachdale Town Hall.

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