Fewer animals would have to be euthanized if an animal control officer were added to the one-person staff of the jointly owned Box Elder County/Brigham City Animal Shelter, the Humane Society says.
Golden Spike Humane Society representatives recently met with Box Elder County commissioners to request the staff addition in hopes it would help reduce the large number of animals routinely euthanized at the shelter.By agreement, the shelter is run by Brigham City with the support of the county. Because of a recent city staff reduction, only one certified full-time animal control officer remains.
Humane Society president Donna Wadman told commissioners that one employee cannot possibly handle all shelter duties. As a result, most animals cannot be cared for and are put to death after only 72 hours. Wadman believes more animals could be adopted if they could remain in the shelter longer.
Commissioners said the county currently has contracts with Brigham City, Tremonton and Garland for animal control and other complaints are handled by the sheriff's department. But Box Elder county has no actual ordinance governing animal control or the hiring of county animal control officers.
Wadman told commissioners that, wherever responsibility for the shelter lies, Golden Spike Humane Society cruelty investigators are routinely called out to handle other animal complaints, leaving them vulnerable to lawsuits and injury. County Attorney Jon Bunderson has refused to handle problems that might arise for the Humane Society.
Commission Chairman James White said city officials recently assured him the shelter will be run properly and according to law.
Humane Society secretary Evelyn Foster told commissioners that her own contacts with officials have been less positive. She urged the commission to compare the management of Box Elder County's animal shelter with that of other counties. Foster said Box Elder County has the state's best-equipped animal shelter but lack of personnel makes it the least efficiently run.