GRANTS PASS, ORE. — Dozens of people rallied outside the Josephine County Courthouse Sunday afternoon, hoping to bring changes to animal control policies.
They are gathering signatures to present to county commissioners.
The rally stems from the death of Riley, a boarder collie mix who died in January after being euthanized.
The county said they were following recommendations from a local veterinarian to put her down.
The group is hoping to gather 1,500 signatures and present that to commissioner Cheryl Walker who oversees animal control.
Below is a copy of the group’s petition.
Riley’s Hope, is a group formed due to chronic issues with Josephine County Animal Control (AC) that became magnified when a stray dog named Riley, was an adoptive home place and monies needed already donated for her heartworm treatment was euthanized by Animal Control at the direction of Public Health Director, Diane Hoover.
We acknowledge that AC has, in recent years, increased adoptions, largely due to Shelter efforts in promoting animals and hosting adoption events, as well as help from numerous volunteers.
AC also created a facebook page on which they network photos of lost and found animals in Josephine County, and have increased the number of days they are open to the public.
Many issues, however, need to be corrected for the sake of our homeless animals.
Due to the November passage of a tax levy designated exclusively for Animal Control operations, the means will soon be available to support solutions to the on-going problems.
In addition to the levy monies, an Animal Control Over-sight Committee was also established and is in place to oversee that the levy funds are used for the most important needs.
The following areas of concern have been identified as specific changes that would be beneficial to both the people and the animals of Josephine County.
1. That the current policy of Animal Control regarding the time a stray animal is held before being tested and put out for adoption is to and enforced.
2. Contend that Animal Control should have its own, on-site director & supervisor.A portion of the AC levy monies should be used to hire a person with considerable training and experience in AC & P, in order to provide leadership and direction to the employees of AC. Employees do not interact/function effectively without on-site supervision.
3. Response from AC should be provided within 24 hours to a potential owner, and no more than 72 hours to any interested citizen or volunteer who has inquired.
4. AC staff is not available, a recorded hot sheet message will be available informing the public of each stray animal that has been accepted by the shelter within the last 48 hours.
5. County Public Health should establish a vector program in an effort to reduce the mosquito carrier that commonly infects pets with the disease, heartworm. Makes more sense to kill the mosquitoes who carry the disease than dogs and cats.Heartworm prevention education needs to be an even active outreach of Animal Control.
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