The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
The Hancock County Board strengthened the county’s animal control ordinance at their regular meeting Sept. 16.
The ordinance was designed to toughen the current regulations on unrestrained dogs, after concerns were brought to the County Board Health committee and to the full board over the past months.
The ordinance states it is unlawful for the owner of a dog to negligently permit their dog to run at large and damage any property of another; to permit the dog to run at large and take, kill, injure, pursue or otherwise harass any animal of another; or to negligently permit such dog to run at large and chase, molest, attack, bite, physically intimidate, or harass any person, within the unincorporated areas of the county.
The new ordinance allows tickets to be written if there are violations. Any person violating or aiding in the violation of the ordinance will be fined $200 for a first offense and not less than $200 or more than $1,000 for a subsequent offense.
State’s Attorney Bobi James would then have a paper trail, making it easier to declare a dog dangerous, according to the September Health committee minutes.
Two residents near Hamilton, Julie Weber and Cynthia Spees, spoke about a situation with dogs in their neighborhood that has caused serious concerns.
The board canceled two credit cards from Marine Bank held by the Sheriff’s department, due to incomplete receipts for expenditures.
According to the August Finance Committee minutes, Sheriff Duffy was asked to provide receipts for the credit cards.
At the September Finance Committee meeting, it was reported that the county’s auditing firm of Gray, Hunter & Stenn has a received some credit card bills with receipts and invoices, but this does not include all expenditures.
The committee brought to the full board a motion to cancel the two credit cards of the sheriff with Marine Bank due to inconsistent voucher and receipt compliance effect Sept. 17.
Christopher Brimmer from Devnet presented the board with information on a tax software system he could provide.
In other action, the board:
- Approved the purchase of a fourth Starcom radio, using an IPRF grant for the $10,985. In May the board approved buying three Starcom radios, using money in the opioid fund;
- Approved the proposed 2026 holiday schedule for Hancock County;
- Authorized the county board chairman to sign agreements related to the Downstate Operating grant that funds the Hancock County Transportation System; and
- Appointed Maureen Crawford to the Hancock County Board of Review.