HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.06.18 SBACC Minutes (Special Meeting 2)South Bend Animal Care and Control Commission
December 6, 2018
1825 Hours
County City Building
13`h Floor
227 West Jefferson Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601
Animal Control Commission Members Present:
City Staff Present:
Absent:
2
Hearing Minutes
Filed in Clerk's Office
JAN '1:5.'2019
KAREEMAH FOWLER
CRY CLERK, SOUTH BEND, IN
Becky Kaiser, Pam Wesolowski, Lynne Losecco, and Dr.
Mariah Covey
Jen Gobel-SBACC Shelter Manager, Tom Panowicz-
Attorney for SBACC, and Dani Campbell Weiss -
Commission Attorney
T. Skibbins-Director of Code Enforcement
Barb Leavell
The hearing was called to order by Judge Anne Carroll Nash, Hearing Officer at 1825 hours.
A. Hearing regarding Habitual Animal Offender residing at 1311 East Dayton Street, South Bend.
B. Respondents are Laureen Johnson and Shannon Hall John.
C. Have received 10 violations in two (2) years.
Service was made and accepted by Hearing Officer.
A. It was found that Shannon Hall John has not lived at this address since March of 2017. She
currently resides in Elkhart.
Tom Panowicz called Jen Gobel to give testimony regarding the Citations and AWA's.
A. File on this address was opened in November 2016.
B. Three (3) dogs were seen on the property and had been licensed in the City of South Bend in
2017.
1. A male Australian Shepherd.
2. A female German Shepherd.
3. A female Pit Bull.
C. First violation happened in March of 2018 dogs running loose, licenses had just expired.
D. April 14, 2018 all three dogs were running loose and an AWA was left for running at large,
public nuisance, improper restraint and no license.
E. April 30, 2018 South Bend Animal Control were called due to three (3) large dogs running in the
area of Dubail. Four dogs were seen. Another AWA was left for dogs running at large and no
license.
F. May 19, 2018 South Bend Police were called due to all three (3) dogs running loose. South Bend
Animal Control impounded one (1) dog, the German Shepherd. An AWA was left for running at
large, improper restraint and no licenses.
G. May 22, 2018 German Shepherd that was impounded was surrendered to South Bend Animal
Care and Control.
H. June 20, 2018 South Bend Police were again called that two (2) dogs were running loose and
were seen as aggressive. An AWA was left for running at large, improper restraint and no
license.
I. None of the Citations were appealed.
J. Last Citation was June 2018. It was investigated that due to the number of AWA's and Citations
that the case would now be considered Habitual Animal Offender by South Bend Animal Care
and Control.
K. South Bend Animal Care and Control asking for a minimum of 5 years probation.
L. City rested their case at this time.
4. Respondent, Laureen Johnson, stated that things have calmed down since June 2018.
A. Willing to comply with licensing her dog.
B. Became overwhelmed due to personal issues.
C. Shannon Hall John has been evicted from premises.
D. There are two (2) adults now living on the premises.
E. As of this date she has two dogs.
F. Respondent has made considerable repairs to the home regarding doors and fencing, and grand
kids will be watched closer regarding dogs.
G. Respondent is willing to seek help to get everything in compliance.
5. The Commission decided with regard to Shannon Hall John, she is prohibited indefinitely to own a dog
in the City of South Bend.
A. Respondent is to provide an address to South Bend Animal Care and Control.
Agreement was reached regarding Respondent.
A. Respondent allowed only two dogs. If dogs are seen running loose then they will be impounded.
B. Dogs need to get licensed and Respondent needs to set up appointment to have puppy spayed.
C. South Bend Animal Care and Control is to go out to the residence for inspection.
D. Payment arrangements will be made regarding the Citations.
E. Respondent willing find resources to help get into compliance.
7. A copy of the findings will be sent to all parties.
Hearing Adjourned at 2020 hours