ASHLAND — Ashland County commissioners on Thursday appointed eight members to a newly established Dog Shelter Advisory Committee.
Term limits were also set for each seat.
The committee will consist of an Ashland County commissioner; representatives from the dog shelter, No Pawz Left Behind and Homeward Bound; an Ashland County veterinarian; a dog shelter volunteer who owns a dog; a dog shelter volunteer who does not own a dog and a dog shelter volunteer who has experience in training dogs.
The following people will serve a one-year term:
- Ashland County commissioner: Denny Bittle (will not have voting power)
- Ashland County Dog Shelter Manager: Patricia Hootman
- No Pawz Left Behind representative: Veronica Negrey
- Homeward Bound representative: Justin Hutchins
- Volunteer/dog trainer: Dave Lay (Chief of the Ashland Division of Police)
The following people will serve a two-year term:
- Ashland County veterinarian: Dr. Marnie Lahmon
- Dog shelter volunteer who owns a dog: Dr. Laurie Mooney
- Dog shelter volunteer who does not own a dog: Stacy Telakowicz
Ashland County Engineer Ed Meixner, who was present during Thursday’s meeting, suggested commissioners consider appointing an at-large “Joe Citizen” member.
“If you’re not in the dog shelter itself, ever, it’s hard to suggest operationals (sic) unless you’re there,” Bittle said, adding the appointments are not “set in stone” and that adding an at-large member is a good suggestion.
The commissioner said those involved with the dog shelter desired representation on the committee. Commissioner Jim Justice said the office also reached out to surrounding counties to receive guidance on how to proceed.
When asked for a list of other counties researched, the commissioners could not produce one.
Bittle said the board’s first meeting will likely be in March, but there is no set date. All of the advisory board meetings will be open to the public, he said.
The first order of business, Mooney has said, will be to update rules and regulations related to euthanasia.
Another topic of discussion will be the shelter’s office hours, officials have said.