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Rule Is State’s, Not County’s

Hancock County commissioners have every right to be upset about criticism regarding their handling of the county animal shelter. They have made sincere efforts to handle homeless animals humanely.

Earlier this month, commissioners and Hancock County Animal Shelter Foundation President Tom Goff discussed a new contract for operation of the shelter. Commissioners for years have had an agreement with the group to run the shelter.

Wording used in a new contract form concerns some people, Goff told commissioners. He cited a section requiring the shelter operator to comply with various state laws. One of them states dogs received at the shelter are to be euthanized within five days, Goff said.

After that meeting, commissioners were criticized — unfairly — by some.

As we pointed out in an editorial on the subject, shelters in many counties hold animals long beyond five days, in attempts to find new homes for them. That has been the case in Hancock County. Commissioners have never interfered in that aspect of shelter operations, to our knowledge.

Last week, Goff reiterated his concern about the proposed new contract between commissioners and the foundation. It will lead to more animals being killed at the shelter, he said.

But the five-day stipulation is part of state law. Specifically, it stipulates that dogs taken into custody are to be kept at county shelters “for five days after notice of seizure and impounding has been given or posted” as required elsewhere in state code. If not claimed by someone, dogs “shall be sold or humanely destroyed.”

So don’t blame commissioners — in Hancock County or anywhere else. Throughout our area, county officials seem to do their best to support humane treatment of seized animals, including attempts to find them new homes. In many cases, that takes substantially longer than five days.

Those who worry about homeless animals may want to take their concerns up with state legislators. Harassing county commissioners does no good.

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