Tuscarawas County Humane Society

Click here for the list of nominees and their candidate statements.

Here are the minutes of the membership meeting for nominations to the Board of Directors held on 2008-03-31, as prepared by Marty Briem:

Report of President and review of agenda: The meeting was called to order by President Rachel Silverstone. President Silverstone introduced Richard Renner. Attorney Renner discussed Rachel's request for him to run the meeting.  He explained that the agenda and financial report were passed out before the meeting.  

There was considerable discussion around next meeting date and how that affects the ability to vote. It was decided unanimously that this meeting will be the first meeting for anyone joining this evening. That will allow the new members to vote because the next meeting will be their second.  

Humane Officer, Dawn Smitley, presented her report. A copy is attached (below).

Treasurer’ Report: Attorney Renner gave an explanation of the financial report presented. It included the Income Tax Statement (Form 990) for 2006. Several members commended the previous Board on it custodial responsibility of the funds.

Nominations for Board of Directors: The following names were presented for Board membership - Jeff Miller, Scott Bonvechio, Mandy Miller, Becky Hershberger, Mike Mason, Kyle Wallick, Amanda Spies, Julie Cornell, Mary Marshall, Ron Carmen, Mike White, Larry Hawthorne, Frank Pietro, Jesse Siefert, Leslie Humphries, Dud Sulzner, Karen Slough, Denise Quicksall, Alice Otto, Hugh Miskimen, Jill Haugh, Cindy Silverstone, Joanne Kopka. A written list of the nominations was circulated for the Society members in attendence to sign. Sufficient signatures were obtained to qualify the nominees.  

Motion to close nominations:  Made by Ron Carman, seconded by Mary Marshall. Motion Carried.  

A motion was made by Ron Carman to establish the Board of Directors at 9 members. The motion was seconded by Bruce Rothacher. The movants accepted a friendly amendment to set the number of members on the Board at 11. Motion carried unanimously.

There was a question about the conduct of the election. Richard Renner explained that his goal was to run the election so that it complies with the by-laws, and allows all members to participate. As the number of directors was set at 11, Richard explained that the ballots would list the nominees (only those nominated in this meeting, minus those who withdraw), and allow each member to vote for up to 11 candidates. Then, the candidates with the most votes (one third of the board) would get three year terms. The next highest vote getters (another third of the board) would get two year terms. The final batch of highest vote getters (to complete the board) would get one year terms.

There was another question about how candidates could share information about themselves. Richard offered his web page, www.taterenner.com, as a place where he would list all the candidates, and offer them an opportunity to post statements.

Good and welfare:  There were a number of comments and recommendations for the Humane Society. It was suggested that we get the new Board established and then they can take a look at the suggestions.  

Motion to adjourn by Mary Marshall, seconded by Ron Carman. Meeting Adjourned. 

RE: Humane Officer Report Nov 2007 - March 2008

November 2007 -83 calls were run. Investigation continues on a farm and Puppy Mill located on Fellers Rd. Owners were given time to clean up surroundings. Sheriff, Dog Warden and Assistant Humane Officer looked into the first report. Check ups are on going at this time. 2 horses were found on Thanksgiving day running in the Ridge road area. Mounted deputies brought them to my location and they were housed for 5 days until the owner was located.. A dead cow was reported on Mayflower Road. Investigation was conducted and charges were filed for 5 animals in extremely poor condition. Sugarcreek Vets conducted body scoring and all animals were found to be 1 and 2 body conditions. This case went to pre-trial in February and a plea of No Contest was entered by defendant. 3 rabbits were seized due to starving to death in The Gnaden area. The rabbits were taken into custody, however due to poor condition all 3 rabbits were unable to be saved.

December 2007 - 96 calls were run. 8 dogs and 22 cats were seized from a Rush Township resident. Dogs were emaciated, cats were sick and living conditions were horrible. Cats were taken in by the cat shelter. Dogs were taken to Barb Richards Kennel and are still currently waiting trial. 2 horses were found running in the Newcomerstown area on Christmas Eve. Deputies, myself, and husband spent 3.5 hours Christmas Eve before catching the animals. 2 horses were taken to my farm and still remain there, they are currently up for adoption after waiting the required time to be reclaimed by owners.

January 2008 - 92 calls were run. A return call to Mayflower road found another cow had starved to death and remaining animals still in poor condition. Again Sugarcreek Vets came out to autopsy dead animal and was found to have been completely starved with no fat surrounding kidneys or heart which are the last places to be found. Seizure of the remaining animals was conducted and additional charges were filed - again No Contest pleas were entered in February. A meeting was set up and conducted with the Farm Bureau and arrangements were made to conduct a training for humane officers in and around the area for training on Livestock conditions.

February 2008 - 102 calls were run. Most calls were for animals in poor conditions and bedding issues - approx 80 warnings were issued and bedding was supplied to many individuals. 2 dog boxes were supplied to area residents for use. February 5th was a important court appearance for the charges of a starved horse from June 2007. Defendant was found guilty on our charge and given maximum sentencing handed down by Magistrate Ken Welch from Southern District court and the animals of Tusc Co. Prevailed with the sentencing of 20 days in jail, $500 fine, 50 hours community service, Restitution of vet bill, and 3 years probation not to own or possess any animals including gold fish.

March 2008 - 85 calls run. Flooding along the Tusc river posed lots of calls for animals stranded by rising water. We were contacted to airlift food to cows along River road, arrangements were made thru the Corp of Engineers to help with this. The investigation into a Riverside Park Dr resident resulted in the seizure of 76 dogs. Dogs were removed by myself, Hugh and Sandy Miskimen, Buffy and Harold Booth, Jacque Peters, Amanda Spies, Mike Smitley, Cathy and Tim Bickford as 2 Deputies stood by. Living condition were the main concern, along with many medical conditions. Dogs were taken to the county fairgrounds to be housed. Vet reports from Dr Jeff Foltz confirmed multiple conditions in all dogs and puppies. All dogs were treated for parasites and earmites the night of the seizure - that week all dogs were treated for whip and hook worms. Monday night after the seizure, 38 volunteers arrived at the fairgrounds to feed, walk, and clean. 3 shifts of volunteers were established and all shifts were covered daily by volunteers resulting in approx 20-3 0 per day. An adoption day was conducted on Saturday the 22'~ and approximately 200 people arrived and viewed dogs 40 volunteers were on hand to take applications, make reference calls, stand by to watch interaction with possible adoptees, vet tech students from Kent State answered questions of medication and problem dogs. Only 4 dogs were not adopted and are currently being housed at Barb Richards. Dog food, leashes, collars, bowls and more were donated by the residents of Tusc. Co. Over 3000#'s of dog food was donated in 1 weeks time. A dog was beat in the head on Deibel Rd in Bux Township. The dog had wandered to a neighboring farm the following night. Dog was taken to Valley View and treated for fractured Zygomatic bone (cheek) possible skull fracture, possible orbital fracture and constricted pupil. Charges are pending do to mental state of owner. Dog was released by vet and is now in a foster home out of the county doing well and expected to make a full recovery.

Monday the 24th ~ was contacted by the Tusc. Co EMA and asked to provide them with an emergency evacuation plan for the area of Zoar as the levee was continuing to fail. I was given 1 hour to provide a location to house approximately 40-50 animals in a worst case scenario. Upon contacting Maria Burkeholder at Kent State, she was able to locate facilities to house approx. 30 animals at Dr Covy's vet clinic any remaining animals could possibly be housed at the cat shelter per Mary Marshall and Marty Briem. Myself, Jacque Peters, Mary Marshal, and Debbie? Along with area fire departments went out on foot in Zoar to get counts for animals in the village. 15 dogs, 14 cats and 2 goldfish - we had ample space to house all animals in the event of an emergency. 5 rabbits from Broad St in Dover were surrendered due to poor body condition treated at the vets. 2 dogs awaiting trial from July 13 2007 were removed from the pound to allow more space there, they are now housed at Barb Richards and doing well.

Updated 2008-04-16