Measure would apply to dogs, cats, ferrets in a public setting
Logan County District Board of Health members approved at their Wednesday afternoon, June 14, meeting the second of three required readings for a new rabies control regulation for the county, as prompted by concerns brought to the board by the local court system and the Logan County Prosecutor’s Office.
If approved in the third and final reading by the board at their next meeting, slated for 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 12, the regulation will require individuals taking a dog, cat or ferret into a place of public accommodation or public facility within Logan County to have the animal previously vaccinated against rabies. If requested at that public facility, the pet owner would need to show proof of vaccination through a rabies vaccination tag attached to the animal’s collar. The measure would be effective 30 days after the board’s final vote.
Members approved the first reading of the measure at their meeting last month, and also conducted a public hearing on the issue Wednesday, which was not attended by anyone from the public.
Logan County Assistant Prosecutor Breanne Parcels spoke Wednesday during the rabies control regulation presentation to explain some of the background behind the measure and the safety concerns that it addresses for court staff members and the general public as well. She said an increasing number of people are taking support animals into the courtroom for hearings.
“As the law currently stands, we are only allowed to ask two questions of people bringing animals into the court. We’re allowed to ask if the animal is trained, and if so, what is the animal trained for? But we’re not permitted to ask about the animal’s rabies vaccination status, unless the county has adopted this type of regulation.
“Rabies is a 99 percent fatal disease once symptoms are present and we believe this is an important safeguard to have in public places in Logan County.”
According to the proposed regulation, dogs and cats would be required in a place of public accommodation or public facility to be vaccinated: between the ages of 4-6 months; re-vaccinated within 12 months; and vaccinated at least every three years thereafter by an USDA approved vaccine.
For ferrets, the requirements are at three months of age and annually thereafter.
Related to the regulation and to promote the general health of pets in the community, Health Commissioner Travis Irvan said the health district is in conversation with a local veterinarian and a village in the county that is willing to host an upcoming rabies vaccination clinic, with further details to be released once they are determined.
Also during the meeting, members accepted the resignation of Nursing Director Kelly Reaver, effective May 19. Reaver has served in that position since December of 2017, replacing previous Nursing Director Kay Schroer.
Reaver worked at the LCHD for approximately 14 years in total, previously serving as an infectious disease nurse and fulfilling many other public health related roles, including immunizations and newborn baby visits. She also has served as a nurse in the community since 1994.
Irvan said the director of nursing position has been posted, but it is a difficult time to be looking to fill this administrative role, as several other public health and local health care organizations in the community are also seeking a new director of nursing.
“Recruiting for a new director of nursing could be difficult, and we might be looking at contracting with another health department to share in the position, at least in the short-term,” he said.
During the community health report, Megan Bailey provided updates about a grant-funded cookbook project in partnership with the Village of Russells Point, which is specifically looking for healthy recipes from individuals living in Russells Point and around Indian Lake.
“We don’t get as many interactions with folks up in Russells Point, and this is a fun way that we want to reach out and get some connections started with more individuals who live in that area,” she said.
Once completed, the cookbook will be available at the Indian Lake Farmers’ Market. A link to submit a recipe is available on the Logan County Health District’s Facebook page and website, https://www.loganhealthohio.gov under “News and Events.”
In other action, the board:
• issued an order to Curtis Martin of Wapakoneta, owner of a property at 7652 County Road 91, which has an open structure causing animal harborage with multiple broken out widows, roof damage and overgrown vegetation, to remove the open and dilapidated structure from the premises to a licensed sold waste facility within 30 days.
• approved a well variance request for Austin J. Nichols, 4796 Bellefontaine St., Zanesfield.; and
• welcomed new environmental clerical specialist Amie Burkhammer.
