Jennifer Bell came to the county commissioners this morning to find out where she should go when she wants to report animal abuse.
County attorney Mike Miner directed Bell to the prosecutor's office.
Bell recounted how she had a neighbor leave two dogs chained up outside for several days while the neighbor was on vacation with no food or water. Bell said she called the county's animal control office but was rebuffed.
Miner told Bell that investigating animal abuse claims doesn't fall under animal control officer Jerry Clase's job description and said Bell should take all her information to the prosecutor's office.
Bell also said she was directed to County Commissioner Bob Conley.
"(Conley) said that this is what's wrong with America," said Bell. "We view dogs as people. He also told me dogs don't have souls. Which is an opinion. It is, though, a living thing with organs."
Bell said when she told Conley the dogs hadn't eaten, she claimed Conley told her that dogs - like people - don't need to eat everyday and that's part of why America is overweight.
Bell then presented information regarding what happens to dogs when they are starved.
"You told me people have too much compassion for animals," said Bell to Conley, who denied saying that.
In other animal advocacy news, a protest on the lawn of the courthouse by a group of animal advocates is planned for 5 p.m. Friday.
Bob Murphy, representing Enchanted Hills, told the commissioners that the area is up for a $600,000 grant to construct storm drainage for the Enchanted Hills area.
Murphy noted that 77 percent of Enchanted Hills residents are low income.
The grant does require a match by the county of $60,000.
The full application is due Oct. 22.
The commissioners also heard from Ryan Daniel of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Daniel went over Community Development Block Grant programs and the criteria needed to apply for grant money.
Kosciusko Area Bus Service Executive Director Matt Boren presented a 2011 budget and quarterly claims to the commissioners. Both were approved.
The commissioners are Conley, Brad Jackson and Ron Truex.
The commissioners' next meeting is Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. in the old courtroom at the old courthouse.
Jennifer Bell came to the county commissioners this morning to find out where she should go when she wants to report animal abuse.
County attorney Mike Miner directed Bell to the prosecutor's office.
Bell recounted how she had a neighbor leave two dogs chained up outside for several days while the neighbor was on vacation with no food or water. Bell said she called the county's animal control office but was rebuffed.
Miner told Bell that investigating animal abuse claims doesn't fall under animal control officer Jerry Clase's job description and said Bell should take all her information to the prosecutor's office.
Bell also said she was directed to County Commissioner Bob Conley.
"(Conley) said that this is what's wrong with America," said Bell. "We view dogs as people. He also told me dogs don't have souls. Which is an opinion. It is, though, a living thing with organs."
Bell said when she told Conley the dogs hadn't eaten, she claimed Conley told her that dogs - like people - don't need to eat everyday and that's part of why America is overweight.
Bell then presented information regarding what happens to dogs when they are starved.
"You told me people have too much compassion for animals," said Bell to Conley, who denied saying that.
In other animal advocacy news, a protest on the lawn of the courthouse by a group of animal advocates is planned for 5 p.m. Friday.
Bob Murphy, representing Enchanted Hills, told the commissioners that the area is up for a $600,000 grant to construct storm drainage for the Enchanted Hills area.
Murphy noted that 77 percent of Enchanted Hills residents are low income.
The grant does require a match by the county of $60,000.
The full application is due Oct. 22.
The commissioners also heard from Ryan Daniel of the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Daniel went over Community Development Block Grant programs and the criteria needed to apply for grant money.
Kosciusko Area Bus Service Executive Director Matt Boren presented a 2011 budget and quarterly claims to the commissioners. Both were approved.
The commissioners are Conley, Brad Jackson and Ron Truex.
The commissioners' next meeting is Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. in the old courtroom at the old courthouse.
