Marion County residents who live inside village and city limits can now get animal control services from the county.
The change comes as a result of a dog killing a chicken in Iuka where the county animal control officer did not initially take control of the dog because it was in the village limits.
Animal Control Officer Ken Ferguson said when he began the job he was told to stay in unincorporated areas only.
However, Sheriff Andy Garden told the County and Community Relations Committee Wednesday night the animal control position is set up by the state just like the sheriff’s department.
“If there’s a crime being committed there I have to respond to it or even Sandoval who have part-time police departments. If their police aren’t on duty or they don’t have police, then it falls to the Sheriff’s Office and we have to handle it. And I think you are the same way. So even though they don’t have Animal Control, you are a County Administrator.”
Ferguson wasn’t happy with the change, noting it would result in a lot more work, but if that is part of the job he would do it. He also questioned how many villages that had their own animal control officer would keep them if the county would cover if they didn’t have animal control.
Ferguson also questions if the Centralia Animal Pound will accept dogs from incorporated communities under the county’s contract. In the past, they have been billing the villages separately at $45 a day to house an impounded animal.
Garden says he cannot find anything in the state statute that makes the animal control officer responsible for the removal of dead animals. The committee also agreed to continue their policy of not picking up cats running at large.
The county and community relations committee will recommend to the full board that two polling places in the county be moved. Romine Township residents will now vote at Donoho Prairie Christian Church at 7405 Exchange Road in Texico and residents of Centralia 5, 6, 7, and 8 will vote at the City Hope Church Main Entrance at 1000 East Third Street.
