Animal Owners Schedule Meeting To Discuss Humane Society Issues

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Animal Owners Schedule Meeting To Discuss Humane Society Issues


Oct. 30, 2008

A group of local residents who want to change the way animal neglect cases are investigated will hold its second public meeting on Saturday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. in the Garrett College Auditorium in McHenry.
"There will be ample seating room, so we urge you to come to the meeting and make a difference," said group spokesperson Kermit Yoder.

He and seven livestock owners met earlier this month with the Garrett County commissioners to express their concerns about the Humane Society and its ability to investigate alleged neglect/abuse cases and to seize animals. Members of the Humane Society, HART, and PAWS (Partners for Animal Welfare & Safety) also attended.

A state law currently places most of the authority of investigation and seizure on "an officer of a humane society." The commissioners said at the October meeting that the county could not arbitrarily change the law. They suggested that the group and Humane Society meet again and come up with "good, legitimate changes" to the law that could be presented to the General Assembly.

"This [second] meeting will give concerned citizens a chance to participate that didn't know about the first meeting," Yoder said.

He will open the November meeting, then turn it over to Nevin Umbel to moderate the rest of the event. Persons attending the meeting are asked to sign in and to note if they plan to speak.

"The Humane Society members will be given an opportunity to speak and air their feelings," Yoder said.

He also asks that HART, PAWS, and the Garrett County Animal Shelter/Control have representatives at the meeting to help answer questions from the public.

Yoder cautioned that some of the statements made at the event and the way they are conveyed may not be appropriate for underage children.

Some of the current laws that the Humane Society operates under will be discussed at the meeting, as well as possible changes to those regulations. Yoder's group has suggested at least three items that it would like included in a new law. Those are as follows:

• The Humane Society must give pet or livestock owners a chance to correct problems before they seize the animals.

• All Humane Society members must educate themselves on animal health and behavior.

• Humane Society members should be required to pass drug tests so when they make a decision to seize an animal the public can be "confident that their judgment is not impaired."

Yoder's group has also discussed the idea of starting a winter food bank for animals. Owners who may have trouble feeding their livestock until spring would receive assistance.

A hotline may also be implemented. Owners whose animals are about to be seized by the Humane Society could call the hotline if they felt they were being treated unfairly.

"Our elected officials cannot make a judgment from hearsay," Yoder said. "That's why it's important for you to be at the meeting so they can hear it firsthand. It may be too late for your situation, but you can make a difference for someone in the future."


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