Sangamon Sun

Hancock County Health and Miscellaneous Committee met Aug. 4

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The meeting was called to order by committee chair Harry Douglas at 6:30 p.m. Members in attendance included Joe Boyles, Michelle Merritt, Josh Turner, Steve Lucie, Mark Harrison, and Mark Menn. Steve Finney was absent. Bobi James, Jeff Totten, Aaron Feagain, Milo Koechle, Ray Fligge, Aimee Schneider, Julie Weber, Cynthia Spees, Maggie Gilpin, and several other members regarding a dog situation in Hamilton were in attendance.

Mr. Fligge reported to the committee that he has had 3 German Shepards running in his pasture. At this time the dog owner broke down crying and yelling at Mr. Fligge. Mr. Douglas asked her to wait her turn to speak at which time she kept yelling. Mr. Menn asked her to leave the meeting. Ms. Schneider left. The sheriff’s office was called to have a deputy present. These dogs have rushed his worker into his truck, they roam frequently. He had no fence at that time but has since put up a snow fence. He has been mowing with a pistol on his side. The dogs came out of the ditch and charged the fence at him at which time he pointed the gun at the alpha dog. The next morning he called the sheriff’s office to let them know that he had pointed the gun at the dogs. This was on August 1.

Ms. Weber gave her story again about her situation with the 3 German Shepards who had trapped her in her garage. She called law enforcement on July 21. They came to her house and took pictures of the garage doors, corners, etc. Mr. Douglas asked what her expectation was upon leaving after the last committee meeting, she stated she had a good feeling because the board members appeared concerned and the states’ attorney stated she would look into it. Mr. Douglas asked if she had heard from the states’ attorney by July 21, and she had not. He asked if she had heard from the animal control administrator and she stated no.  She got in touch with Norine Hammond and Neil Anderson. Mr. Douglas reported that we have a rabies administrator, an animal control transporter, the sheriff’s department can be assigned to deal with the dog bites as they are the only ones who can write citations. Ms. Weber asked Ms. James how she would like to live like a prisoner in her own yard? Ms. James stated that she has been working on this situation. She has been to the sheriff’s office after hours to pull files, she had a jury trial, made a memorandum to send out, talked to the animal control administrator, and sent a sheriff’s deputy to take pictures. Mr. Koechle met with Mr. Fligge after the dogs were rushing the fence.

Ms. Spees had sent a letter to the committee at the last meeting. She let her service dog out on August 1. She saw the dogs were outside so she got her dog off the lead and brought him in the house. They came running into her yard and went up to her storm door barking. The dogs have to go through 3 properties to get to hers.

Ordinance 6-2008-9 is more to protect the dog rather than any person. There is nothing in the ordinance that would allow Ms. James to impound the dogs.

Ms. Gilpin stated on July 20 at 9:00 p.m. she could hear the dogs outside making vicious noises and growling. She called the sheriff’s office and stated they could not do anything but told her to stay in the house. She saw that the dogs were attacking something. Her son went outside the next day and her cat was dead.

The residents were told that the committee is trying to figure out what can be done. The states attorney will do a thorough investigation to give the evidence that is needed to resolve the situation. All of the residents left escorted by Mr. Koechle.

Ms. James was asked if her assistant could look at the ordinance and see what can be changed. She believes her assistant can have something done for this by the next meeting.

Ms. Merritt made a motion to approve the Resolution Opposing the Safe Gun Storage Act and Affirming the Rights of the Law-Abiding Gun Owners. Mr. Lucie seconded. All members present voted aye.

The dog bite reports were passed around.

Mr. Totten presented the ESDA report. This was passed around. He is putting together an emergency response guide for schools. Wes Woolson has been working on this for years and is now working with Mr. Totten. Mr. Douglas stated the county has never been as prepared for an emergency as we are now.

Mr. Feagain introduced Donald Haage who will be covering for him while gone on medical leave. There were 144 calls, 130 billable, 101 transports. Out the door time is 1 minute 56 seconds. He passed around his projected budget. He discussed thinking about purchasing a new or lightly used ambulance in the next couple of years. They will start looking for grants for this.

Mr. Harrison stated that there was an incident where an ambulance was called to Bentley but ended up in Burnside, then turned around and an hour later ended up in Bentley. Mr. Feagain is looking in to this situation and will get back with the resident.

Mr. Douglas reported on the Board of Health meeting of July 31. The dental clinic is very busy and is booked out through September. There are no other issues.

Claims were gone over. Motion to approve the claims was made by Ms. Merritt, seconded by Mr. Harrison. All members present voted aye.

Mr. Boyles made a motion to recess until September 3 at 6:30, Ms. Merritt seconded the motion. All members present voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

https://hancockcounty-il.gov/health-minutes-aug-2025/