River Valley Humane Society
RVHS IN THE NEWS
River Valley Humane Society has made headlines over the years. Here you can read some of these stories, old and new.
Written by Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor, for the Corydon Democrat | December 7, 2022
Cats and dogs were topics of conversation near the conclusion of Monday morning’s meeting of the Harrison County Board of Commissioners. A representative with Southern Indiana Rescue told the commissioners they would like to see a fenced-in area at the Harrison County Animal Control facility that would allow dogs at the shelter to get outside and play. “We have some wonderful dog walkers,” the representative said, noting playing would be good for the physical and mental health of the canines. Southern Indiana Animal Rescue is willing to donate $10,000 toward the fence project and hopes other organizations and individuals will contribute. Charlie Crawford, president of the board of commissioners, said they could accept the $10,000 as a donation toward the project but would need the county council to approve any funds from the county. The representative said she believes the project needs to be acted on quickly. Commissioner Jim Heitkemper made a motion, seconded by Nelson Stepro, to accept the $10,000 donation. The motion passed unanimously with Crawford also in favor. The representative asked if Southern Indiana Animal Rescue could raise funds for the project, to which the commissioners said yes. She said maybe the group wouldn’t need money from the county. Following the brief discussion about fencing, the county’s spay/neuter program was discussed. Tanya Tuell with River Valley Humane Society said her request would not cost any additional money, but rather change how the vouchers are disbursed. When the program began in 2005, vouchers were made available to residents to have dogs or cats spayed or neutered at $20 for cats and $35 for canines. People could receive two vouchers a year. “We’re proposing increasing the vouchers to $30 per cat,” said Tuell, who had volunteered with the program for the initial 13 years. “We get a tremendous amount of calls regarding cats.” She also asked that additional vouchers be given on a case-by-case basis. Tuell said the program was changed during the tenure of the second animal control officer without any discussion, public comments or input from the county commissioners. She added the commissioners should have input in the program. Crawford said he would not be in favor of distributing additional vouchers. “In a short period of time, you’d run out of money and there would be none left for dogs,” he said. Tuell replied that the county would not have dozens of people requesting vouchers. “You could put a cap on it ... you wouldn’t tap out the entire spay/neuter fund,” she suggested. Heitkemper, who was a commissioner when the program was first implemented, spoke favorably of the request. “I honestly think you’re on the right track,” he said. “If you don’t address it, you’re just kicking the can farther down the road.” April Breeden, animal control director, told the commissioners that issuing two vouchers per household per year is not helping. Also, she said, the cost of spaying/neutering animals has increased. Tuell said the voucher prices were set based on what veterinarian Dr. McDonald charged in the early days of the program to do them. “Now, it cost $100 to $200-plus in this area,” she said. The commissioners decided to table the request until their next meeting, which will be Monday, Dec. 19. Monday’s meeting was the last to take place in the morning, at least in the near future, as the commissioners approved the 2023 meeting schedule. Beginning in 2023, both monthly meetings will take place at 7 p.m. to accommodate Brad Wiseman who will join the board of commissioners; he defeated Heitkemper in the 2022 election. The commissioners also approved the 2023 holidays, which will include the same ones as 2022. Also, Alice Hays was appointed by the county commissioners to the Heth Township Fire District board following the death of Judy Kingsley.
Written for the Madison Courier | April 22, 2015
Gary and Catherine McLain, of Grantsburg, are like many people. They have big hearts and can’t stand to see an animal — whether it is theirs, someone else’s or a stray — go without food. However, as in their case, what begins as an act of kindness can quickly turn into a much larger problem. Enjoying their company, the McLains began putting food out for a couple of neighborhood cats. Before they knew it, they were feeding at least eight cats that they knew of. Not only did they likely attract other cats in the area, but the original cats had kittens, quickly increasing the population. Unable to afford to have that many cats spayed or neutered, the McLains, an older company on a fixed income, got in touch with River Valley Humane Society, founded by Tanya Tuell, of Elizabeth. On a Saturday morning last month, Cathie Knear, transportation coordinator for RVHS, went to the McLains’ home to set traps to catch the cats so she could take them to Louisville, where Alley Cat Advocates spayed and neutered them. A couple of days later, she returned the cats to the McLains in Grantsburg. “There’s no cost to the pet owner,” Tuell said of the Alley Cat Advocates program, explaining the organization relies on grants and donations. The McLains’ situation isn’t unique. In fact, after leaving Grantsburg that morning, Knear went to Eckerty for another TNR (Trap Neuter Return) effort. “I get a lot of calls,” said Tuell, who helped get the Spay Neuter Assistance Program in Crawford County up and running in 2012 and is its point person. The SNAP voucher program, open to Crawford County residents only, is funded through a $5,000 annual appropriation by the Crawford County Board of Commissioners and Council. Tuell said it is something for which both bodies should be commended. “They have prevented tens of thousands of unwanted kittens,” she said, noting cats can begin breeding at just 4 months old. Still, money — $20 for cats; $35 for dogs — is available from the program, which is open to everyone, regardless of income level, Tuell said, adding two vouchers can be received at a time. “It’s on the increase,” she said of the number of vouchers given out yearly. “I think it’s just a matter of getting the word out.” To get a voucher, Crawford County residents can call Tuell at 1-812-969-2615. In the case of the McLains, since they went through Alley Cat Advocates, they donated the two vouchers they were given to the organization. “Dogs are a problem, but cats are an especially difficult problem,” Tuell said. She said there are several myths that may prevent people from getting their cats spayed and neutered, including that cats who have been fixed no longer will catch mice. “We want to make sure that people know that spaying and neutering cats will not prevent them from hunting,” Tuell said. In fact, she said, a farmer in Harrison County told her that his cats quit fighting after they were spayed and neutered. Before, it wasn’t uncommon for them to get into scrapes with each other and have their faces torn up, according to the farmer, Tuell said. A second farmer told her that another benefit of having his cats spayed and neutered is that, when the surgery is done, they also are given the rabies vaccination, making them safer to be around his livestock, she said. Another myth, Tuell said, is that an organization like hers won’t help people with several animals. “We don’t care how many animals the pet owners have. We work as partners with the pet owner and find a way to get the animals spayed and neutered,” she said. “No one will be condemned or ‘get in trouble’ for having a lot of animals. Especially in Crawford, where there is no place to take unwanted animals. We want folks to call for spay neuter info. We also will provide free transportation for spay neuter, if needed.” Tuell said Knear has transported 50 cats from one property in Harrison County. “We don’t want people to be concerned about having large quantities of cats,” she said. Tuell also urged people to be on the lookout for cats who need spayed and neutered. “Let neighbors know you can get them fixed free, and then call us if they say OK,” she said. “If you believe the cat to be a stray, let’s work together and get the cat fixed. Strays need to either go to a shelter or be spayed neutered, females and males both. “Even if the person concerned doesn’t want the cat, getting him or her fixed will prevent thousands of unwanted kittens from being born.” In addition to the local SNAP program, residents may be able to receive vouchers through Spay Neuter Services of Indiana. SNSI vouchers, however, are income-based. According to SNSI’s website, limited-income pet owners pay $20 per surgery in SNSI’s statewide network. Limited income is defined as at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty guidelines. Residents who have been accepted in the following needs-based public assistance programs also are eligible: Energy Assistance Program. Food stamps. Major VA Disability. Medicaid (not Medicare). Public School Free Lunch Program. Section 8 Housing. Social Security Disability (SSD) – (not S-S-Retirement Income). Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. Supplemental Security Income. Tuell urged people who believe they may be eligible to call SNSI. “It won’t affect any other government programs they’re on,” she said. For more information about SNSI, visit the organization’s website at www.spayneuterservices.org/. For more information about the Crawford County SNAP program or River Valley Humane Society, call 1-812-969-2615. RVHS also is on Facebook.
Written by Kirsten Clark for The (Louisville, Ky.) Courier-Journal | February 11, 2015
"The pigs have health records, Byerly said, and they'll be walking through disinfectant before getting in the ring. There will be a veterinarian on site, just in case." A paid veterinarian on site to do what? X-rays, surgery. It isn't possible. And walking thru disinfectant? What about the feces and urine in the mud. The only way they can stop that is to not allow the pigs food and water for days ahead of the event. So starved, dehydrated, terrorized pigs being assaulted by humans. What a proud achievement for our species. If River Valley Humane Society and its nearly 10,000 supporters have their way, there will be no pig wrestling at the Harrison County Fair this year. Supporters of the Humane Society in Indiana's Crawford County are expected to speak out against a fair board move to include pig wrestling — described on the River Valley Humane Society's website as an activity in which pigs are "assaulted by teams of humans" — in the 2015 fair's festivities. "It's just a mistreatment of animals first and foremost," said River Valley Humane Society founder and President Tanya Tuell, 57, of Elizabeth. "If someone did this to a dog or a cat, they'd be charged with cruelty immediately." The Humane Society will attempt to sway fair board members during a meeting Wednesday night with a month of research and a series of petitions. An online petition campaign launched last weekend has gathered nearly 10,000 supporters from around the world. But fair board president Jeff Byerly said there is little chance they'll succeed, since the board has already contracted with a Rushville, Ind. promoter who will put on the pig wrestling event on the Wednesday of fair week in Corydon. Allowing the Humane Society to talk, he said, was more of a courtesy. Pig wrestling is something the board had been talking about for years, Byerly said, and when it was endorsed as a "great show" at a recent fair convention in Indianapolis, they decided to make it a reality. The pig wrestling in Corydon will include teams of four humans who pay to chase a pig in a muddy arena, Byerly said. If the humans can catch the pig in the 30- to 45-second time limit — something he said rarely happens — they have to touch the pig to a rubber tire. The pigs have health records, Byerly said, and they'll be walking through disinfectant before getting in the ring. There will be a veterinarian on site, just in case. The Harrison County Fair, which will be held July 12-18 in Corydon, is one of the oldest — if not the oldest — county fair in Indiana. The practice of pig wrestling is uncommon — if not non-existent — in Kentucky. Gib Gosser, who works with about 100 county fairs annually in his capacity as the executive director of the Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows, said he has never even heard of it. Tuell once had a Yorkshire sow named Sparkle, and although Sparkle never wrestled, raising her made it apparent to Tuell just how intelligent and sensitive pigs are. Sparkle didn't like strangers, and she reacted to foreign situations in a way similar to other domesticated animals. "I don't believe that anyone at the fair board or anybody thinking this was a good idea woke up one morning and said, 'Let's go be mean to pigs,'" said Tuell, who suggested that human participants of pig wrestling lacked a connection with agricultural animals. "This animal is just so foreign to them," she said. "They don't have a conflict in treating them this way." In addition to concerns about animal cruelty, the Humane Society is also concerned pig wrestling may pose a threat to the human participates, who Tuell said often come into contact with urine or feces expelled by a pig that feels threatened. During the fair board meeting, Tuell said, the Humane Society will suggest alternatives to the pig wrestling event, among them a mixed-breed dog show to advocate pet adoption. But Byerly said he has talked to representatives in at least four Indiana county fair boards. They only have good things to say about pig wrestling, he said — and none of them received any pushback from animal activists. Byerly, on the other hand, has heard from people all over the country. "It's gotten really stupid," he said. "... I mean, I have a voicemail on my phone right now from some lady in Oklahoma ranting and raving about this." Byerly maintains there's no basis to any concerns about pig wrestling. Board members just want a "good, entertaining show." "Nobody wants to see any animals hurt," he said. Reporter Kirsten Clark can be reached at (502) 582-4144 or on Twitter at @kirstenlmclark.
Breeder's permit ordinance repealed
Written by Ross Schulz for the Madison Courier | June 4, 2013
The Harrison County Board of Commissioners and special invitees on both sides of the issue met last Wednesday afternoon for a work session focusing the breeder's permit ordinance. The meeting concluded with the board voting to repeal the ordinance by a 2-1 vote, with commissioners George Ethridge and Kenny Saulman, both whom took office Jan. 1 voting for, while Jim Klinstiver, who was elected in 2010, voted against. The motion technically did not repeal the ordinance but ordered legal counsel Chris Byrd to draft the necessary paperwork to do so. The motion also included reworking the existing animal control ordinance to increase fines in a tier system for cats and dogs that are not spayed and neutered. The tier system was introduced by Ethridge. Those invited to the discussion included Tanya Tuell, Travis Bushau, Robert Schickel, Chris Schneider and Matt Conrad. The mood became contentious for a brief period when Ethridge reiterated that the only remedy needed is enforcing the laws that are already on the books in the county. Tuell said that didn't fly with her because the breeder's permit would be a new tool for enforcement and nothing has worked with the current ordinance, so she didn't expect anything to improve as far as animal overpopulation and the endless piles of euthanized dogs and cats. Ethridge and Tuell continued to speak, or tried to, over each other. 'If you don't want to listen, there's the door,' Ethridge said to Tuell. From that point on, things calmed down somewhat, with both sides stating their case for, or against, the ordinance. Schneider said he pays enough in property taxes that go toward animal control and he shouldn't have to go to the trouble of registering for a free breeder's permit once a year. Klinstiver, who along with former commissioners Carl (Buck) Mathes and James Goldman voted for the ordinance in November, said the board should let the ordinance go into effect July 1 and then modify it if necessary. Tuell said the amount of animals being euthanized is heart-wrenching, and it is insane to think 'we've got this ordinance, that's all we can do.' Ethridge said people can't be forced to be responsible and there's no silver-bullet remedy to the problem. Animal Control Officer Bruce LaHue was not present at the meeting, which took place during working hours. At Monday's regular meeting of the commissioners, Ethridge and Saulman approved an ordinance to repeal the breeder's permit ordinance. Klinstiver voted against. The board also approved an amendment to the animal control ordinance already in place to increase fines for non-spayed or neutered dogs and cats running loose as follows: first violation, from $0 to $100 (with the option of spaying or neutering the animal to get fine waved); second violation, from $50 to $150; and third violation, from $100 to $250. The board also discussed enhancing adoption at the county animal control facility through website usage.
COMMENT TO THE EDITOR:
Being told "there's the door" by an elected official is of no consequence to me. It is however an honest example of the negative attitude by some toward animals and toward those of us who care about animals; animal shelter staff; and our fellow citizens. I seriously doubt any other social issue would invite such behavior. Animal care and control matters have always been at the bottom of the social issues barrel. Those who recognize we in fact do have a responsibility toward animals have had to fight for every advancement. In addition, the radical anti-animal extremists who organized opposition to the ordinance displayed the behavior I fully expected and fulfilled my preconceived notions regarding those who always show up to beat animals down.
- Tanya Tuell, River Valley Humane Society President
June 7, 2013
Written by Ross Schulz for the Corydon Democrat | May 7, 2013
It's not often the morning meetings of the Harrison County Board of Commissioners draw a large audience to debate and discuss an issue; normally that occurs at the board's evening meetings when most people are off work. But that's exactly what happened Monday, however, as supporters and opponents of the breeder's permit ordinance packed the Council/ Commissioner Room at the Government Center. At the board's last meeting, Robert Schickel of Lanesville ' and a host of others ' asked the board to repeal the ordinance put in place in November by the previous board of commissioners. On Monday, a dozen or more folks voiced their support for the ordinance and asked the commissioners to give it a chance. Tanya Tuell, formerly with the Harrison County Spay and Neuter Program, said the community, county government and those close to the animal overpopulation issue have worked hard to not only get the ordinance in place, but to also implement the spay and neuter program, build the animal shelter and fund animal control. 'We've come a long way,' she said. The ordinance, set to go into effect July 1, will require all dogs and cats in the county to be spayed or neutered unless a free breeder's permit is obtained (the ordinance needs to be advertised twice before it becomes law). Tuell said the ordinance is not a mandatory spay or neuter law and, in fact, through research, she couldn't find one mandatory spay or neuter law in the entire United States. Tuell said she contacted five of the eight communities quoted in the Protect the Harvest advertisement against the breeder's permit in the April 10 issue of this newspaper, and all five were reportedly incorrectly quoted. 'I think that's very important to look at,' she said. 'If they aren't verified, they aren't reliable.' Created by Forrest Lucas, Protect the Harvest has a main objective to combat animal rights groups that it says are forcing their lifestyle on everyone through politicians and legislation, making life difficult for farmers, pet owners and the general public as a whole. Farmers, including Peter J. Schickel of Lanesville, spoke against the ordinance for fear of losing barn cats that control the rat and mice population to protect cattle or other farm feed. Others said they have had their cattle dogs spayed or neutered in the past and they became lazy and ineffective. On the other hand, supporters of the ordinance cited dogs and cats they owned were just as active after being spayed or neutered. Lori Mayberry of Elizabeth said she has rescued four stray dogs in the town of Elizabeth that otherwise would have roamed the town and present a danger to the public. 'All were someone else's choices,' she said. 'They felt they need not take care of them, that someone else would.' Lori's daughter, Samantha, said it would be a mistake to overturn the ordinance because, once it becomes law, it will help decrease bad situations for neglected animals in the county. Another breeder's permit supporter said she had a neighbor with a tied-up female cat in heat having litter after litter. 'It's not morally right,' she said. Lance Kingrey said it was his second time attending a county meeting against the ordinance. 'Where's it going to stop? Are you going to tell me I have to quit breeding horses?' he asked. Robert Schickel said he found 15 more pages, to go along with the previous nine he presented at the last commissioner's meeting, that cover animal control in the Indiana Code. 'We just need to enforce what we've already got in place,' he said. He said he thought the ordinance was created with good intentions, but it would have negative results and be costly to the county. He said it's not right for a law-abiding citizen to be fined for not receiving a breeder's permit. 'Please repeal it,' he said of the ordinance. Commissioner George Ethridge said he has owned two rescue dogs previously, and both were spayed. 'I didn't want to deal with puppies,' he said. 'That was my decision. I would not have appreciated government telling me what to do and what not to do.' Ethridge said the county already has an ordinance in place that deals with a lot of the issues discussed. 'If you've not read this, please do,' he said to the audience about the existing ordinance. 'These situations have already been covered; they're all here.' A copy of the ordinance can be picked up at the animal control facility or from one of the commissioners. Ethridge said he plans to have a meeting or two this month with only two or three representatives from each side of the issue and go over the existing ordinance. Commissioner Jim Klinstiver said he made the motion to approve the breeder's permit ordinance in November (Ethridge and Commissioner Kenny Saulman were not yet in office) after two years of input and he still believes it's the right thing to do. 'I'm a fifth-generation farmer,' he said. 'I know about animals.' He said farmers wouldn't treat their livestock the way dogs and cats are treated in the county as far as uncontrolled births. Also, he said it is difficult, if not impossible, to create an ordinance that pleases everybody. 'We should advertise it twice (making it law) and we can always modify it once it's an ordinance,' he said. Sinkhole repaired Early last week, a sinkhole was discovered next to the dispatch area of the Government Center in south Corydon, causing the drive-through off of Atwood Street to be closed. Ethridge said a geotechnical expert was brought in Sunday to examine the sinkhole. 'She said she did not believe it was a major geological feature,' Ethridge said. So, the hole was filled in, plugged and patched, with about a 5-by-10 foot gravel area. It was scheduled to be paved yesterday (Tuesday). After the area is paved, the drive-through will be re-opened. Ethridge said another sinkhole, this one smaller, on the low, south parking lot will also be filled in. The board approved maintenance supervisor Danny Spencer to go ahead with emergency funding for the sinkholes.
Written by Ross Schulz for the Corydon Democrat | April 23, 2013
The Harrison County Board of Commissioners, at least the two newly-elected ones, are on a path to repeal the breeder's permit ordinance put in place in November. If they do so, it would be a mistake. The general public may not see animal control as a problem until it effects them, their children or pets of their own. But ask any of those involved in the field, whether it be Animal Control Officer Bruce LaHue, spay-and-neuter coordinator Tanya Tuell, local veterinarians or the previous District 1 and 2 commissioners James Goldman and Carl (Buck) Mathes, respectively, who fielded calls on the subject asking them to do something about it, and they leave no doubt that overpopulation of dogs and cats is a problem in the county. For the farmers who expressed concern about the ordinance, both Mathes and Goldman are farmers and they had no problem with the ordinance and voted to put it in place. When it was put together, LaHue basically told the commissioners that farmers and other responsible pet owners will not have to do anything different after the ordinance takes effect (slated for July 1). At the very most, if their animals are ever in question, all they will have to do is visit the auditor's office and obtain a free breeder's permit. How the debate went from that to saying it's a mandatory spay-and-neuter program is hard to understand. There's absolutely nothing mandatory about it. No one is telling residents they can't allow their pets to breed anymore. A large group of folks attending the most recent commissioners' meeting expressed concern and asked for the repeal of the ordinance. A few were farmers, who have nothing to fear, and another was a 4-H representative worried that students would not be able to participate in certain events because of a lack of puppies or kittens. Again, nothing will hinder those families from breeding their dogs or cats. Others pitched their opinions and ideas as to what the commissioners should do. But they're late to the discussion. Last year, the Harrison County Council advised LaHue to form a committee to come up with a plan to combat animal overpopulation. The committee was made up of one representative each from the sheriff's department and prosecutor's office, along with a county councilman and commissioner, veterinarians and rescue shelter workers, among others. In one of the meetings with the committee, LaHue showed a slide of photos of barrel after barrel of euthanized dogs. LaHue said the images were too graphic to show at county council or commissioners' meetings, but that never-ending line of euthanized dogs, of all breeds and ages, is at the heart of the animal control problem. Maybe he should show those slides at a public meeting. The breeder's permit ordinance gives LaHue a tool he wouldn't otherwise have to punish irresponsible pet owners. For those who want to put an end to or slow down the couple of thousand animal euthanizations a year in the county, it'd be a good idea to show up at an upcoming board of commissioners' meeting in support of the breeder's permit ordinance. The supporters wanting to repeal the ordinance stood for a moment during the last meeting to show their support. It's time for the other side to stand up as well.
Written by Chris Adams for the Clarion News | March 6, 2013
The Crawford County Board of Commissioners, to the applause of most in the packed courtroom at the judicial complex in English, Thursday night ended discussion on an ordinance that would have required “proper shelter” for dogs and cats. The potential ordinance was first brought up at the commissioners’ November meeting by Tanya Tuell, founder of River Valley Humane Society and coordinator of the Spay and Neuter Assistance Program in Harrison County and who has helped initiate a SNAP effort in Crawford County. Tuell, who has worked with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department to rescue neglected dogs and cats for the past couple of years, had requested consideration of the ordinance following the retrieval of several dogs earlier that month. The dogs, she told the commissioners at the time, were living in a small wired pen that didn’t include a gate. Uncovered from the elements, the ground inside was a “mud pit,” Tuell said, adding there were only two doghouses and several broken pieces for the nine dogs, two males on one side and seven females on the other. In addition, she said, the seven females shared a small water pail, which was full of mud when she was first there. Calling the dogs’ living conditions among the worst she had seen, Tuell said the ordinance, which is identical to one in Harrison County, would assist law enforcement officers by providing them a better definition of what is a viable shelter and what isn’t. The ordinance defined “proper shelter” as having: •Four sides, including one with an opening large enough for an animal to enter; •A floor that is elevated off the ground and is secured and a roof that does not leak or allow accumulation of moisture; •Enough room for the animal to stand completely erect without touching the top while completely allowing the animal to turn around and stretch out when lying down; and •Means of shade from the heat and straw bedding or other means of protection from the cold. The ordinance also would have required each animal to have adequate food and water, and violation of any part of the ordinance could have resulted in a $100 fine. However, before the proposed ordinance could gain traction, concern arose that it would put too much of a burden on animal owners and potentially would open the door to restrictions on livestock, including horses and goats. Cara Beth Jones, of Marengo and the group Protect the Harvest, which represents livestock and small pet owners as well as hunters and fishermen, voiced opposition at the commissioners’ Dec. 31 meeting. Jones then printed a copy of the ordinance in a full-page advertisement in the Feb. 20 issue of this newspaper that also asked animal and pet owners to attend the Feb. 28 commissioners’ meeting and to ask them to spend tax dollars “on helping pets and pet owners — not making more criminals and lawsuits.” Having answered her call, the majority of those in the full courtroom last Thursday night stood when Jones asked everyone who opposed the ordinance to stand. Many followed by verbally expressing their displeasure. One man referred to the ordinance as “just a bunch of B.S.” Another, despite the commissioners being the only ones able to do so, made a motion the ordinance not be voted on things be left the way they are currently. That was followed by someone adding, “I second it,” and another saying, “I third.” Many people said abuse and neglect of animals shouldn’t be tolerated, but that doesn’t mean punishing responsible animal owners because of the actions of a few, especially when laws already exist. Jones told the commissioners that, wanting an independent review of the ordinance, she had an Evansville law firm read it. The firm, whose entire response was read by Jones, agreed that laws already exist to protect animals. She then held up nine pages of state laws that deal with animal neglect and cruelty. Saying that the proposed ordinance would limit freedom, Jones also read part of the Indiana Constitution. “So, we are trying to protect your rights. Someone said it isn’t about rights, but, folks, it is about your rights,” she told the audience, which broke into applause. Tuell, who said she hadn’t planned to speak about the ordinance and that she was at the meeting to promote the SNAP program, said her goal in proposing the ordinance was to help animals. In the case of the November dog rescue, she said, all the owner would have had to have done to comply with the state law was to place a tarp over the pen. However, that wouldn’t have helped much, she said. “Let me just ask you just one question. If you have a chained or penned dog that is confined, I mean, do you all believe that the dog should have a doghouse?” Tuell asked, as someone answered yes. “Because that’s not what we’re finding. I mean, I’ve got case after case that I have personally handled in Crawford and Harrison County. “So, that’s what I’m saying. I felt like we needed this ordinance here. Maybe we don’t. Maybe the sheriff and everybody feels like, you know, they’ve got enough to go on with the state law. That’s all we were trying to accomplish. There was nothing else.” April Minter, of Leavenworth, who was dressed in a dog costume to help Tuell promote the SNAP program, also noted that the ordinance had nothing to deal with livestock. “All this ordinance was about was these dogs,” proclaimed an impassioned Minter, adding she was among the volunteers who helped in the November dog rescue. Following the approximately 30-minute discussion, District 1 Commissioner Daniel Crecelius made a motion that the commissioners abolish the ordinance. “Before I respond to Dan’s motion,” District 3 Commissioner Jim Schultz said, “I would just like to say that, for one, Tanya has put a lot into Crawford County in assisting us here, and I think her motives are very pure. I don’t think she has any underlying motives in connection with this ordinance. I think she truly just wanted to protect animals, and I think that’s what she was motivated by. “I’m going to second Dan’s motion, but I did want to make that statement,” he said. “I do appreciate her work and her efforts that she has put into our county. “I’m going to vote ‘yes,’ ” Randy Gilmore, president of the board, said, “because I do think the law enforcement has the power, as stated in the state laws, to take control and do something about these animals. It’s the landowner, folks. I hope it isn’t one of you out there, but if you’re treating an animal that way, you should be arrested.” Crecelius agreed, saying that more laws are not the answer. “I think everybody’s on the same page,” he said. “We don’t want to see animals treated bad. We don’t want to see them mistreated or cruelty being done to animals, but we also just need to use a little bit of common sense in what we do.”
Written for the Corydon Democrat | December 18, 2012
A representative with Protect the Harvest visited the Harrison County Board of Commissioners Monday night to express concerns about the implementation of the breeder's permit ordinance. Created by Forrest Lucas, Protect the Harvest has a main objective to combat animal rights groups that it says are forcing their lifestyle on everyone through politicians and legislation, making life difficult for farmers, pet owners and the general public as a whole through higher food costs. Kara Jones, a Crawford County resident who spoke to the board on behalf of Protect the Harvest, said she believes the breeder's permit ordinance would not help matters and could even make things worse by causing health problems in dogs because of spaying and neutering. She said Protect the Harvest was formed to protect farmers, hunters and animal owners. 'Most owners would relinquish ownership rather than pay a fine,' Jones said. She also said the number of rabies vaccinations decreases when a breeder's permit is in place, thus resulting in a higher number of rabies cases. 'You're going to run into problems ... It has failed in other places,' she said of similar breeder's permit laws. The ordinance will cause a hardship for the poor and elderly, Jones said before asking the board to reconsider the ordinance. 'Maybe decide to do something different,' she suggested. Commissioner James Goldman then asked if anyone wanted to respond to Jones' remarks. Harrison County animal control officer Bruce LaHue took the opportunity. LaHue said that first and foremost the breeder's permit is not a mandatory spay and neuter program because pet owners only have to obtain the free permit to avoid spaying and neutering their pets. He said the goal of the permit ordinance is to encourage responsible pet ownership. 'The one thing I'll say is that it doesn't get anymore unhealthy than what we have today,' LaHue said. 'You can't get any unhealthier than killing them. And that's what we're doing.' LaHue said the animal control facility euthanizes, on average, 80 percent of the animals that are brought to the shelter. 'We want more people to own animals, but we want them to do it responsibly,' said LaHue, who contends that the average person will not be affected by the new breeder's permit ordinance. Goldman said the board has no interest in changing or relinquishing the ordinance, which is set to go into effect July 1. 'We'll at least give it a chance, see how it works,' he said. 'We'll monitor it; the new commissioners will monitor it.' The county's spay and neuter coordinator, Tanya Tuell, also spoke in favor of the ordinance and said they've been trying voluntary spaying and neutering (a suggestion from Protect the Harvest) for 10 years with no results. In other business Monday night, the board passed a panhandling ordinance to mandate anyone who plans to collect money on county roads outside of incorporated towns to obtain a permit from the auditor's office. The ordinance will exempt civic organizations within the county such as fire departments, 4-H, Lions Clubs, Boy and Girl scouts, churches, etc. Commissioner Carl (Buck) Mathes said the ordinance will give police officers the ability to put an end to unwanted, out-of-county panhandlers, particularly at the intersection of S.R. 135 and Landmark Avenue near the Walmart Supercenter. The board also agreed to make a three-way stop at the intersection of Corydon-Ramsey and Kennedy Mott roads. Goldman said multiple wrecks have occurred there and placing stop signs on Corydon-Ramsey Road to go with the existing sign on Kennedy Mott will make the area safer for motorists (the fourth road at the intersection is a private road). Mathes made a motion to hire Eric Eckart to the highway garage position of brush crew foreman. Commissioner Jim Klinstiver seconded. Highway department superintendent Glenn Bube recommended Randall Crosier, as he was the only current employee to sign up for the position. Goldman voted against hiring Eckart. 'I think it should have been given to Randall, give him a chance to move up,' Goldman said. The board also hired Jacob Johnson to a dispatch position and terminated the same position for Kim Jenkins. The commissioners will meet Wednesday, Dec. 26, at 6 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Government Center in south Corydon to conduct year-end business.