SCAA Seeks County Support For Dog Problem

SCAA Seeks  County Support For Dog Problem

By David Howell

Editor 

WATER VALLEY – Members of the Second Chance Animal Alliance (SCAA) made a second request to county officials for support for animal care in the county.

The organization currently has an agreement with the City of Water Valley for financial support for abandoned, neglected or abused animals picked up within the city limits, but at Monday’s Board of Supervisor meeting the group explained a huge dog problem in the county often drifts into the city.

SCAA vice-president Mandy Beard explained that her organization regularly fields calls from city and county law enforcement and the public for assistance. The group also expressed frustration with city and county law enforcement when SCAA members request assistance on cases that are brought to their attention.

“They can do a welfare check on neglect and abuse cases,” Beard explained about law enforcement involvement that would assist the group. Beard also said the volunteers do not have legal authority to follow up on a complaint on private property. 

SCAA volunteers first approached supervisors last May, but the pitch Monday was made to a board that includes four new supervisors.  Beard, SCAA President Melissa Smith and volunteer Brittany Mills Scero identified multiple avenues of support the county could provide, ranging from financial assistance to the construction of a new shelter that would adequately house animals picked up in the county and city. 

District 3 Supervisor Lee McMinn noted three questions that needed to be answered to assist the group.

“First is, the laws that are on the books. What, if any, kind of laws could we enact or start to enforce that would give this group some relief or some support when they go out to a case,” McMinn said.

“Second, obviously we need to look at our inventory of available county-owned property to see if there is anything we can come up with that will help them,” McMinn continued.

“Third, why not explore, and this is a stretch, cooperating with the City of Water Valley on the facility that they have now that seems to be in a good spot?” District 3 Supervisor Lee McMinn asked.

“We can’t add on to it,” Beard explained about the city facility. 

“If you haven’t seen the (city) pound we will take you on a grand tour. It is an atrocity,” Smith added about the current facility located near the sewage lagoon that is used to house dogs.

As for the laws, Smith explained current state laws cover abuse cases with dogs or cats and there is help available for equine problems.

“I commend what you ladies do,” Board President Cayce Washington told the group, adding that he has provided financial support through his business in the past.  “But at the same time I don’t want to open up a can of worms for the county, we can’t promise an open check,” Washington explained, adding that his board would need to quantify what SCAA needs.

“We got to understand what we can and can’t do. I think we can render some support, we just need to figure out what we can do that’s not going to be bad for our finances,” Washington added.

Washington also recommended for the group to meet with the sheriff.

“I know Lance (Humphreys) has a situation out here where he is trying to do his job. He is not geared up for chasing a dog. We have to figure it out and I am certainly open to looking into it,” McMinn said.

Washington also noted there is not an easy answer to solve the stray animal problem, but said supervisors would work to identify ways to support SCAA.

“We can’t put any promises on the table today, but we will get back to you,” Washington added.

Speaking later in the meeting, Humphreys told supervisors that his department doesn’t have the manpower to operate an animal shelter or serve as the county’s dog catcher.

“We try to help (SCAA) as much as we can, my dispatchers probably call them at least twice a week about dogs. We don’t have anybody else to call,” the sheriff explained.