Euthanasia funding may be increased
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Humane Society has been too full to take animals on a regular basis, prompting the police department to request additional funding to cover the expense of euthanizing animals they detain.
During the June 11 City of McCook 2013-14 budget workshop, Chief of Police Isaac Brown said as recently as the week prior, and on a regular basis throughout the year, the McCook Humane Society has refused to take animals because they were too full.
Chief Brown said a local veterinarian has agreed to charge the city a very reasonable price to perform the procedure, when necessary, throughout the year.
Brown requested $1,500 be budgeted in the upcoming fiscal year and said the funds would be used to purchase equipment needed to maintain the safety of officers while catching animals, such as dog and cat cages, as well as give the department funding to have the animals euthanized when necessary.
Councilor Jerry Calvin asked why the McCook Humane Society maintained a no kill policy and reminded the group attending the budget workshop that the City of McCook was their major source of funds.
The City of McCook budgeted the Humane Society for $44,000 in the 2012-13 budget and that amount has grown every year for at least the last five years. The 2008-09 budget amount was $34,723.
Red Willow County Commissioner's were approached by Humane Society representatives on June 10 and asked to continue their same level of support, $3,000 annually, for the upcoming 2013-14 budget. During the commissioner's meeting, Humane Society representatives said Culbertson contributed $900 annually and Indianola and Oberlin also contributed an undisclosed amount.
During the city budget workshop, Councilor Calvin said refusing the police department's animals was simply not an option and the Humane Society needed to understand the two entities had a working relationship. Calvin added he was frustrated with feeling like the welfare of stray animals was being prioritized ahead of the safety of McCook citizens.
Councilor Mike Gonzales recommended any additional funding for animal control the police department received, be reduced accordingly from the McCook Humane Society budget.
"The priority should be on McCook. I don't want McCook being told no," said Councilor Calvin, adding that animals from surrounding communities should be refused long before any from McCook were.
Chief Brown's comment during the June 11 budget workshop, that the Humane Society had been too full to take animals from the city the week prior, came a day after humane society representatives informed county commissioners they were expecting a litter of puppies to arrive at the animal shelter on June 13.
Chief Brown also said there were occasions when the McCook Humane Society would refuse animals over concerns of people getting injured. Budgeting the additional $1,500 for animal care would allow police officers to take vicious animals, those that were too dangerous to care for, directly to the veterinarian for euthanasia.
Chief Brown said he was confident the city would get restitution in the majority of the animal cases, however, the court system took time and the city would need to have the ability to initially cover the expense.
Brown said Red Willow County Court regularly credits the cost of a euthanasia to any fine accompanying an order to destroy an animal.
Before concluding the conversation during the budget workshop, Mayor Dennis Berry asked city staff to study the contract with the animal shelter and review options.