County to pay abused dogs’ boarding
Staff writer
Marion County will pay thousands of dollars in veterinary boarding costs for dogs seized by the City of Marion in an animal cruelty case.
The county will pay $3,756.96 billed by Animal Health Center to the city, county administrator Tina Spencer said. It also will pay a final invoice yet to be provided in the case.
The city will pay costs incurred from the time police seized the animals until charges were filed by the county attorney. The county will pay costs after that point.
The case stems from dogs seized months ago after a cruelty complaint. They remained in veterinary custody while the case proceeded, unable to be rehomed.
Marion Mayor Michael Powers said during a city council meeting that the delay in determining responsibility allowed bills to grow.
“The dogs are still in custody, and still racking up bills,” Powers said.
The city is pushing for a state law that would allow animals to be declared abandoned if their owners do not respond to a certified notice. This would allow the animals to be rehomed and stop further boarding costs
Spencer said no formal legal determination was made about who was responsible for the expenses.
“We don’t have a written legal opinion stating whether the city or the county is ultimately responsible,” Spencer said.
Attorneys for both sides disagreed, she said, and the decision was made “in the spirit of cooperation.”
All costs will be sought from the defendant as restitution if the case results in a conviction.