County officials questioned about animal complaints

County prosecutor: Anonymous tips are of very little use in prosecuting a violator

WELLSBURG -- The Brooke County Commission was questioned Tuesday about the handling of complaints of animal neglect in the county.

Cindy Dobbs and Carri Welsh told the commissioners they don't believe the procedure established in a county ordinance addressing the outdoor care of animals is being strictly followed.

Welsh noted the ordinance establishes penalties for residents of unincorporated areas of the county who fail to provide adequate shelter, water and other care for their animals while outside.

It calls for a warning to be delivered for the first offense and the owner to be given 72 hours to correct the violation. For each subsequent offense, the owner may be fined $300 to $2,000.

After the third offense and when an animal clearly appears to have received cruel or inhumane treatment, the animals may be taken into the county's custody, with the owner charged for their care by the county's animal shelter.

Welsh noted there also are state laws governing proper care for animals.

Dobbs said dishes of water often freeze in winter, and animals can quickly become dehydrated.

The two said they have observed animals with frozen water and lacking shelter, straw and other accommodations as well as receiving tips from neighbors, who wished to be anonymous.

They said they have taken photos of some and notified Dan Posey, the county's dog warden, of all.

Welsh said she's only aware of one citation being issued this year.

"We would like better resolution with some of the things that are happening," she told the commissioners.

County Commissioner Stacey Wise said, "Every complaint that has come in has been reviewed and looked at."

Wise said no cases of abuse or neglect are being ignored.

County Prosecutor Joseph Barki III said anonymous tips are of very little use in prosecuting a violator, adding such complaints should be made directly to the dog warden or law enforcement.

Barki said Posey "can only act on what he sees when he goes out there."

Christina White, director of the county's emergency 911 center, said things may not always be as they appear and bowls of water can be overturned or quickly consumed.

Posey said there was a case in which Welch reported there was no straw for a dog outside and he found it behind a box so it couldn't be seen from the road.

The pair wasn't entirely critical of Posey. Welch noted he volunteered to bring a box to a dog owner on his day off and has tried to work with other animal owners to ensure they have proper care.

But Posey said he can no longer report to the pair and others the resolutions following his investigations.

Dobbs and Welsh were part of a small group that appeared before the commission.

A man at the meeting who didn't give his name said he has posted a No Trespassing sign because some in the group have been coming onto his land to feed his horse, which he said is unnecessary.

Steve Tennant, a long-time local advocate for animals, said, "We're starting to let personalities get into this too much, I think."

He suggested all of the parties meet to share concerns and insights in hopes it would bring about more understanding among everyone.

Barki told Tennant, "Everything you said is 100 percent reasonable. I wish it would turn out that way."

After noting there are levels of care among pet owners, White suggested Dobbs, Welsh and others approach state legislators for stricter laws.

Commission President A.J. Thomas said that may be their best approach.

In other business, the commissioners recognized several Brooke County employees who have retired within the last two years.

County Commissioner Tim Ennis noted they normally do that yearly but the pandemic led them to postpone it.

They were: Lisa Smith, former office manager for the prosecutor's office, where she worked for 41 years; Mary Lu Wigal, a clerk for the county's circuit court office; Darin Pizer, a former county sheriff's deputy with 34 years in law enforcement; Pam Northcraft, whose work for the county included 11 years as chief election clerk; Debbie Keener, who worked in the assessor's office for many years; and Cheryl Ross, a clerk for the circuit court who has remained there on a part-time basis to train new hires.

White noted Pizer also has been pressed back into service on a part-time basis, using his background work with the 911 center to aid with ongoing upgrades there.

County Clerk Kim Barbetta announced the courthouse will be closed Monday for Presidents Day.

(Scott can be contacted at wsott@heraldstaronline.com.)