JCAC can't seem to stay out of the news.

Two more recent tidbits while we wait for a trial.

Jackson animal control director to leave post
Posted by Holly Klaft | Jackson Citizen Patriot
June 11, 2008 11:33AM
Categories: Local government

Jackson County Animal Control Director Kim Luce has left her position at the agency.

Luce informed officials Friday afternoon of her immediate retirement from animal control, where she spent about 27 years, said County Administrator Randy Treacher.

He acknowledged that her decision to leave was a recent one.

"It was clear to her that the commissioners were looking at animal control moving in a different direction than it had been under her management," Treacher said. "Kim did a very honorable thing."

There are so many places I could go with "moving in a different direction" but I'll just leave that up to your imaginations.

And, as if the new shelter would be run any more professionally than the old shelter ...

County to give refunds to pet owners who paid higher euthanizing fee
Posted by jbwheato
June 09, 2008 16:54PM
Categories: Breaking News

At least nine people will receive refunds from Jackson County Animal Control after the agency raised fees for euthanization without county approval.

Undersheriff Tom Finco told county commissioners today that animal control records were being reviewed to determine who had been overcharged and how much was owed. Those who paid the higher fees could be refunded as much as $90.

Officials at animal control decided to raise the cost of euthanization to $100 on May 12 and said the change was to put fees for the service on a similar level as those charged at local veterinarian offices.

The price of euthanization at the agency, which typically costs pet owners between $10 and $20, was rescinded and dropped to its previous rates on June 2, Finco said.

Wonder which "officials at animal control" decided to jack the price to between 5 and 10 times what it was ... and where that extra cash was going.

What is more disturbing are public comments left under the first article about alleged previous JCAC shelter activities ...

"Currently, the animal shelter does not keep track of how many animals are available for adoption, held for owners, or held to be euthanized."

"...it was under her watch that animals that HAD IDENTIFICATION tags were sold to research facilities without the owners being contacted only a couple of days after being brought into animal control, and that happened on more than one occasion."

"The animal control in Jackson has been a disaster for as long as I can remember."

The extended version of the euthanasia story follows:

Refunds due for euthanization
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
By Holly Klaft
hklaft@citpat.com -- 768-4917

At least nine people will receive refunds from Jackson County Animal Control after the agency raised fees for euthanization without approval from the county Board of Commissioners.

Undersheriff Tom Finco told county commissioners Monday that Animal Control records are being reviewed to determine who had been overcharged and how much is owed. Those who paid the higher fees may be refunded as much as $90.

Animal Control officials raised the cost of euthanization to $100 on May 12, a fee that stood until June 2. It then reverted to the previous fee of $10 to $20, depending on the weight of the animal.

Sheriff Dan Heyns, who took over the agency's operations in March, has said the price hike was part of "rational budgeting" and he was not aware that commission approval was needed.

Sheriff's officials said the fee hike put the rate on a level similar to what is charged at area veterinarian offices.

County officials are still looking into a possible fee increase.

More than 200 animals have been euthanized at the facility this year, Heyns said.

It is uncertain how many people were charged the higher fee, but those who think they may have been overcharged are being asked to contact Lt. David Teriaco.

Friday, commissioners scolded Heyns for changing the fees without approval during a board study session, where he presented a progress report on the agency that passed its first state inspection May 8.

He then told commissioners he was not aware of anyone who had been charged the raised rate.

Commissioner Todd Brittain said $100 is too much to pay for euthanization.

"For us to increase it from $10 to $100 is ludicrous," he said. "People aren't going to be able to afford to have their dog euthanized."

As the pitchfork turns ...