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The state has not released details about the program yet. Local
officials believe it may be anywhere from six months to a year
before they receive information. The county will collect and hold
the fees for the state until they are told when and where to send
them. When and how the funds will be returned for qualifying pet
owners to receive assistance with spaying or neutering their pets is
not known yet either. Programs will need to be set up for that as
well. The program will be administered through the Illinois
Department of Public Health.
House Bill 315 calls for new state fees to be assessed in
addition to current fines and fees:
- Add $10 annual registration if not spayed or neutered
- Add $25 public safety fine for any animal running at large
- Add $25 for an animal that bites
- Add $50 for dangerous dog (must be spayed or neutered within
10-14 days)
- Add $100 for vicious dog (must be spayed or neutered within
10-14 days)
Current fees:
- $10 annual registration (cat or dog)
- $6 pickup (* fee assessed when owner reclaims dog)
- $6 release (fee assessed when owner reclaims dog or cat)
- $8 boarding per day
- $10 rabies vaccination
- $25 for microchipping
* This is a charge for picking up a dog running loose and does
not apply to cats. Logan County has a leash law on dogs, but not on
cats. Animal control does not pick up cats. Strays are brought to
the facility.
Current fines for a dog running loose:
- $20, first citation
- $40, second citation
- $60, third citation
- $100, fourth citation
- $200, fifth citation
Fines increase as citations accumulate in a year's time. The
slate is wiped clean each year.
The facility also offers other services to citizens as needed:
- Euthanasia, $35
- Disposal of body:
- Small, $24.50
- Medium, $28.50
- Large, $32.50
- Extra-large, $42
- Lost rabies tags can be replaced for $1.
The facility accepts animals that owners can no longer care for.
The charges for any resident other than from Atlanta are:
For residents from within the city limits of Atlanta the costs
are:
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 New animal control warden Julie Parker said that they have a lot
of questions about the new program. She said that they would make
public announcements when they know anything, but she doesn't expect
that to be for quite a while. It doesn't appear that the state has
the processes of collection, return of the funds, or the spaying and
neutering program worked out yet.
It was noted by finance chairman Chuck Ruben and board member
Dick Logan during the annual county budget discussions that the
facility has always been and would be operated at a loss, meaning
that the county will always need to supply some financial support
for the facility. While revenues remain relatively consistent,
expenditures vary from year to year. Revenues were in 2003 were
$106,691 and $117,794 in 2004. Expenditures in 2003 were $137,363
and $146,598 in 2004. That created $30,672 and $28,804 losses when
expenses exceeded revenues the past two years.
With another two years ahead to battle a declining budget, the
board asked all county departments to help hold or cut down costs.
The new warden and the committee chairman, Vicky Hasprey, are
working on reducing costs by promoting animal adoptions,
transferring animals to shelters or rescues, and working with groups
that wish to volunteer with fundraising or work at the facility.
An ongoing aluminum can drive that was set up under former animal
control chairman Patrick O'Neill has aided the facility in covering
some of its costs. The funds help buy dog food for the increased
population and cat litter, which is one of the highest costs, Parker
said. Residents are encouraged to continue bringing their cans
there.
The Logan County Board approved the appointment of Dr. Lester
Thompson as Logan County Animal Control administrator and Julie
Parker as Logan County Animal Control warden this month. Maurice
Tierney moved into the position of assistant warden last month.
Logan County Animal Control report for November:
Animal control responded to 41 complaint calls. Thirty-five calls
came from Lincoln, two from Middletown, one from Mount Pulaski, one
from New Holland, one from Beason, and one from Hartsburg. In
addition, several animals were brought in from some of those areas,
as well as from Elkhart and Emden.
There were 17 dogs and 14 cats, for a total 31 animals, at the
end of September.
There were 53 animals at the end of October.
A total of 30 dogs and eight cats were brought in.
Five dogs were reclaimed and five dogs were adopted out.
Seven dogs were transferred to rescues and one cat to a farm.
Seven dogs and one cat were euthanized.
[Jan
Youngquist] |
