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County Responds To Petition
Rappahannock’s Board of Supervisors responded October 16 to a petition filed October 1 by the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. The petition, which is the first step in a lawsuit, alleges that the county does not maintain an animal-shelter facility in compliance with Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services regulations and that the county has failed to comply with approved methods of euthanasia. The petitioners seek a writ of mandamus - a court order to remedy the situation.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Peter Luke, who prepared the county’s nine-point response, said there is some confusion over whether or not the petition incorporates language from the appropriate section of the Code of Virginia. Luke explained that regulations referred to in the petition are pursuant to a section of the Code that was repealed July 1. His concern: When supervisors appropriate money to correct animal-shelter inadequacies, will they be operating under the current regulations?
“If the regulations (listed by petitioners) are valid, the county’s going to comply,” Luke said, reaffirming previous commitments by the board to come into compliance.
The response was filed and postmarked four days early. It now places continuance of the suit back in the hands of the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. The next legal step would be a formal hearing before the Rappahannock circuit court, which could occur in late November.
• RHS Gains Momentum
The newly formed Rappahannock Humane Society (RHS) has moved quickly during two recent meetings to begin drafting bylaws, incorporate and pursue tax-exempt status.
According to Vince Hannon, a member of the RHS Board of Directors, the group now has the legal assistance of Attorney Doug Baumgardner, the tax assistance of CPA Joan Howard; and the animalwelfare expertise of Susan Carnie of Five Forks, who works with Charlottesville’s Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
In addition, Hannon said that Supervisors Nelson Lane and Dick Latham, chairman of the board, had attended a meeting and were anxious to work with RHS. Following that meeting, RHS members contacted animal shelters in Culpeper and Fauquier counties to see if animals from Rappahannock could be accepted on a contract basis at their facilities as a temporary measure. Since June 26, the date of estate inspection of Rappahannock facilities, no dog has been euthanatized in the county, according to supervisors.
Culpeper at this time cannot enter into contract with Rappahannock, Hannon said, but Fauquier is interested. Hannon said RHS has arranged a meeting between Supervisor* Lane and Hubert Gilkey and
-v-ltfr itinMitnra h» Warns***— ***>»» Trtgy Vfckr : iireek, Hannon said. •*, >
'The next mfeeting of the RHS planning committee is Tuesday, “Otto- - ber 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the courthouse. For more information, contact Vince Hannon at 937-4051.
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