Commissioners to hear issue on animal officers' authority 3

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--> --> Commissioners to hear issue on animal officers' authority Ashland Daily Tidings Jackson County Animal control officers could soon have the authority to enter private property unaccompanied to investigate allegations of animal abuse. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners decided Wednesday to hold a public hearing on the issue in November, after several residents and Commissioner Jack Walker expressed concerns over residents' rights to privacy. At present, animal control officers must be accompanied by a sheriff's deputy to provide emergency care for animals on private property. With deputies spread so thin, it sometimes takes days to arrange for the proper care, officials said. One problem for Walker is the fact animal control officers are not defined as sworn peace officers under county ordinances, though they are sworn officers. The ordinance would make it legal for animal officers to enter property unaccompanied if it is passed. Commissioners approved the first reading of the proposed ordinance, though Walker said commissioners needed to take a closer look. A public hearing on the matter has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Nov. 21 in the Jackson County Courthouse auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale, in Medford. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing