Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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July 17, 2008

County OKs deal with city

By Rich Flowers News Editor

The Henderson County Commissioners Court on Tuesday approved an interlocal agreement with Berryville that will allow Henderson County Sheriff’s Department animal control officers to assist the city in cases of extreme need. The commissioners’ action opened the door for municipalities within the county that do not have a police force to receive help.

Berryville’s request originally came before commissioners in May. Commissioners tabled the issue pending more information about what help other municipalities might expect under the terms of the Animal Control Ordinance adopted last year.

A recent incident, in which a 47-year-old woman was bitten by a dog, alerted city officials to the need for some type of agreement that would allow county animal control officers to step in. The woman, who was mentally challenged, Berryville Mayor Ray Brown said, contacted the dispatcher concerning the bite, but help was slow to come.

“Why it took so long and why there was confusion about the sheriff’s department coming out is what we’d like to clear up,” Brown said.

Brown said Sheriff Ronny Brownlow had suggested Berryville enter into an interlocal agreement with the county prior to the bite incident.

“We do not have a police department and we depend on the sheriff’s department for help,” Brown said. “We’ve been fortunate to have had the support of the sheriff’s department and from Commissioners Court.”

Pct. 2 Commissioner Wade McKinney said Tuesday cities with a police department can already receive help from the sheriff’s department under the terms of their mutual aid agreements. He had been reluctant to approve Berryville’s request in May out of concern that it might be the first of a line of municipalities asking for help from county animal control officers.

“Due to the demands on the staff, I’m concerned that if we pass this one, there’ll be cities lining up in a short frame of time,” McKinney said.

Pct. 4 County Commissioner Jerry West said the determining factor would be whether the municipality had its own police force.

“When another police department in a city like Athens or Brownsboro calls the sheriff’s department for help,” West said, “the dheriff’s department will respond because they’ve been called by another department. Berryville has no police force.”

Brown said the city has been attempting to hire its own animal control officer, but has had a difficult time finding the right person.

“Berryville has animal control ordinances to handle ordinary issues, but we need the help of the Henderson County Animal Control Officer to help with the unusual incidents,” Brown said.

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