By Rupert Howell
Supervisors heard a familiar plea last Monday when Margaret Eubanks of Panola County Humane Society pleaded for more county action concerning laws, treatment of animals, (specifically dogs) and the need for additional funding and facilities.
Eubanks left with an additional $1,000 making the county’s contribution $3,500 this year, although the matter had been approved during the budgeting process last October. But it was a small victory for the local organization and its volunteers who have worked diligently to better the lives of unwanted or stray dogs.
During her presentation Eubanks called for laws that would require free roaming dogs to be spayed or neutered, a limit on the number of dogs per property owner and a destructive dog ordinance to give relief and recourse to those who don’t own dogs and don’t want them on their property.
She also called for anti-chaining and tethering laws that would apply to all animals, requiring them to be contained securely and humanely, “By fence, kennel or pen that is adequate for the size of the dog and kept sanitary.”
The Humane Society representative commended a vicious dog ordinance developed by Sheriff Deputy Bobby Billingsley and passed by the county board in 2013. That vicious dog ordinance was later adopted by the City of Batesville.
“I think it is a good piece of law,” Eubanks stated but added, “I would ask the county to consider adding a few more pieces to it.”
Those additions included no more than two vicious dogs per property and vicious dog signs be posted.
“I feel there has been ample time for a response from this county board as to where you stand on the rights and humane treatment of these animals. It is long past time. P.C.H.S. has been fighting this fight for 14 years. How much longer will it take?” she asked.
“Pet owner responsibility is the most common sense approach and most cost effective to everyone trying to help these animals,” Eubanks explained later stating, “The knowledge that there are no laws in the county has made certain areas a dumping ground. Without laws and consequences this problem will never change. To know it exists and do nothing has been a pattern for 14 years. Maybe it’s time that this board respond to the people that elected them with a commitment of what they are willing to do.”
Eubanks then asked the board to set up a Panola County Animal Task Force consisting of two members each of the board of supervisors, sheriff’s department and Humane Society.
That group would define a protocol of responsibility and ultimately oversee charges of animal neglect or abuse.
“The overwhelming calls for help from the citizens of Panola County related to animal issues are because of the lack of laws and pet owner responsibility. This problem is unsustainable with very few options for resolution,” Eubanks noted.
She commended the City of Batesville for its, “. . . proven record of animal issue resolution because they have laws and a city dog pound.”
She also commended Sheriff Dennis Darby and his department for working with her organization on animal related issues.