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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... Reopening of the Siskiyou Line means trucking companies will take a hit ... JOSEPHINE COUNTY Josephine County: Cave Junction tiger center's fundraising letter inaccurate Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 29, 2015 at 3:44 PM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 29, 2015 at 3:44 PM » Social News There's a cat fight brewing in Josephine County. A fundraising letter by Bonnie Ringo of the Tiger Preservation Center in Cave Junction claims county officials are "threatening to shut us down permanently and possibly destroy our 30 big cats." But that's not the case, according to county officials. In fact, on Thursday the Board of Commissioners directed the county legal staff to send a letter to Ringo telling her to stop using the county's name as part of a plea for donations. "This is a fraudulent attempt to get money," Commission Chairman Keith Heck told the Daily Courier. In a press release this morning, the Board of Commissioners said the fundraising letter "contains several false statements about Josephine County." Further, "Josephine County is not threatening to shut down the Tiger Preservation Center. The county has not demanded the payment of any inspection fees whatsoever, and the county has not given any deadline of June 15 to make any payment. Also, the county has no authority to grant or revoke wildlife permits or to destroy any of the big cats. "The Board of Commissioners of Josephine County urges caution in making donations to any organization based on the falsely alleged actions of Josephine County." This isn't to say that Josephine County doesn't have a beef with the center. "The inspector has been out there and there are violations that need to be addressed," Heck said. Ringo's fundraising letter, dated April 14, states the county is demanding $10,858 in inspection fees. Heck confirmed the Ringos owe that much money. It's unclear when the dispute began, but in April 2012 the county filed a lawsuit against the Ringos, claiming they are operating the Tiger Preservation Center without various development and construction permits. The suit also claims permits were not obtained prior to building a home, barn, horse stalls, fence, shed/bathroom, two-story shed/residence and two other sheds. The Tiger Preservation Center should not be confused with the Great Cats World Park, which is also in Cave Junction. Both facilities are located on Redwood Highway a short distance from each other. Bonnie Ringo's plea for donations makes multiple references to the county possibly closing the facility's doors and seizing or destroying their cats. Is it possible the county would shutter the center? "It might be, if they didn't comply and just didn't give a rip and (didn't) talk to anybody," Heck said. As for destroying the cats, Heck was incredulous that Bonnie Ringo would make such a claim. "The county doesn't just walk in and put down animals," Heck said. For example, he cited a case in 2012 when Animal Protection rescued 257 neglected animals, including 177 miniature horses, from a ranch near Cave Junction. The county not only cared for the animals, but even recruited people to adopt the animals. He is also frustrated because the Ringos have not communicated with the county about the situation. However, Bonnie Ringo, in a short conversation with the Daily Courier Thursday afternoon, said the center has communicated with Josephine County. "We pretty much have it under control now," Ringo said. By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted May. 29, 2015 at 3:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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