| Citizens bring claims of animal abuse before UC Council |
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Posted: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 9:35 pm
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By DONNA RYDER
Messenger Associate Editor
Claims of a dead dog, overcrowding and an over-abundance of flies were what Union City Council members heard from residents who were on hand at Tuesday’s council meeting to complain about the Ken-Tenn Humane Society.
Jeff Vowell of Union City said whoever is running the facility doesn’t need to be. In fact, he stated they don’t even need to be around animals.
Vowell made claims that a Rottweiler died at the facility and the dogs can’t be seen because of the number of flies. He added, with the number of flies at the facility, there’s no way the animals could be clear of ticks and fleas or possibly even intestinal parasites.
He said half of the animals housed at the facility should actually be put down and there is an overcrowding issue, with too many animals being kept in each pen.
Vowell told the council he recently went to the facility, known as Ann’s Place, under the pretense of adopting a chocolate lab puppy. He said he was not allowed on the property and the person there said they didn’t have a dog for him to adopt.
He said the “conditions are not right, not adequate” and if taxpayers are going to pay for the facility, it should be done right. He added for someone who knows what they are doing, the facility could be run by one full-time person.
Mayor Pro-tem Billy Jack “B.J.” Cranford, who was conducting the meeting in the absence of Mayor Terry Hailey, requested Vowell get his “ducks in a row” with information and get on the next council meeting’s agenda to be heard on the matter.
Amy Sullivan of Union City asked that council members go with a group of concerned citizens to the facility and see for themselves what the conditions are. She said she also heard that a dog had died of heat exhaustion and that another was being kept in the sun without shade. She also claimed the dogs aren’t getting cold water.
City manager Don Thornton said because the property is leased to the Ken-Tenn Humane Society, it members can refuse to allow people onto the property, but because the property is leased from the city, any city official can inspect the property.
Laura Archer then approached the council and stated, “We’re asking seriously, please go check it out. We are not law enforcement.” She then claimed it appears the Ken-Tenn Humane Society is exempt from the animal laws in the city.
After the meeting was opened in prayer by city attorney Jim Glasgow Jr., the council:
• Amended the drug fund on second and final reading by increasing revenues from $25,200 to $30,700 and expenses from $25,185 to $26,500.
• Voted on second and final reading to replace the existing ordinance setting fire alarm fees. The ordinance sets a $25 fine to residents or business owners who have a third or more false fire alarm within a 12-month period. The changes also call for all alarm systems to be registered with the city and a $25 fine for the owners who do not register them. There is no fee to register the alarm systems.
• Approved a five-year contract with Barker Brothers. A 4 1/2 percent increase per year is allowed for in the contract. Thornton said the previous contract increases were 6 percent.
• Accepted a bid from Ford Construction for $68.22 per ton of 411D and $550 per ton for tack coat for paving purposes.
• Learned from Fire Chief Kelly Edmison that Union City retained its Class 4 ISO (Insurance Service Organization) rating, with an increased score of 63.11 over 1998’s score of 60.68. He said the department is graded on its communication system, the fire department itself and the water supply.
In addition, the city received a Class 8B classification for the rural area it protects. He said it is a new rating he has not seen before, but it is given to departments with the ability to fight fires, but who lack sufficient water supplies in their rural areas. Only two departments in the state received the new rating.
He will be performing a review of the ISO report in hopes there is something the city can do, that is monetarily feasible, which would garner the city a Class 3 rating. He told the council the better rating is good for economic development, as well as for lowering residents’ insurance premiums.
• Agreed to pay $4,264.93 interest on the $3 million it borrowed from Obion County to build a spec building. Bedford Dunavant said there are four prospects for the building. He said he thinks once bids are let for I-69 the spec building will sell.
• Discussed several areas where houses and yards are in disarray. Councilman Bill “Rat” Harrison said houses owned by Habitat for Humanity in particular are in need of mowing. Councilman Dianne Eskew also had strong words for Obion County and its lack of proper maintenance of property it owns.
Mrs. Eskew said the neighbors of those properties, most of which are in her ward, are county taxpayers and deserve to be treated with better respect. She said those residents are keeping their yards mowed and cleaned, yet have to live next to “Jurassic Park.” “It’s unacceptable. It’s a disgrace,” she said.
Harrison requested a letter be written to Mayor Benny McGuire about the matter.
• Accepted the resignation of long-time city manager Don Thornton. His last day will be July 31. Mrs. Eskew voted against it.
Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by e-mail at dryder@ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 7.8.09 |
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