The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety approved the Animal Control Services Agreement with Marshall County Humane Society.
The City of Plymouth will pay $30,000, $2,500 a month, in return for animal control services which include the employment of an Animal Control Officer by the Humane Society whose responsibilities include the management of the
animal control program and the enforcement of all ordinances relating to animal control. The Society agrees to assist and cooperate fully with the employees of the Marshall County Department of Health and the employees of the Plymouth City Police Department in the performance of any duties and powers given to them under the county and city ordinances relating to animal control.
Duties and responsibilities state: The Society shall receive all animals which may be apprehended by the Animal Control Officer as a result of any violations of the ordinances relating to animal control or by any other persons authorized to enforce such ordinances. The Society shall also receive lost, stray, homeless or injured animals which may be turned over to its control and custody by the general public. The Society shall provide housing, shelter, food, water, veterinary care and other humane treatment for such animals while they are in the possession of the Society and until placed or disposed of as provided herein. The Society shall place with suitable owners or humanely dispose of such animals which come into its control and custody in accord with the provisions of the ordinances relating to animal control.
The Marshall County Humane Society is also responsible for the training of the Animal Control Officer and any other designated assistants and staff members, employees of the Marshall County Department of Health and the employees of the Plymouth Police Department in the techniques of humane animal handling in relation to the enforcement of animal control ordinances for the purpose of promoting the proper care and treatment of animals by the general public and to inform the public about and encourage the observance of all Marshall County and Plymouth City Ordinances relating to animal control.
The Marshall County Humane Society is also responsible for answering calls concerning animals in distress which may include the rescue of an injured animal or any animal which is unnaturally restrained.
The Marshall County Humane Society is also responsible for sheltering and disposing of such animals in concordance with this agreement and in compliance with laws.
The Marshall County Humane Society is also responsible for furnishing a suitable animal shelter facility at the present location of U.S. 31 and 13th Road, Plymouth. This location also serves as the base for the Animal Control Officer.
Other responsibilities include maintaining suitable office hours for the convenience of the public and for the purpose of transacting business in connection with the obligations under this agreement and for the purpose of accepting applications for the redemption of sheltered or impounded animals.
The Society shall maintain a telephone number and / or answering service or systems to receive calls from City residents relating to the enforcement of ordinances relating to animal control. The phone number for the Marshall County Humane Society is 574-936-8300.
After normal business hours for the shelter facility, emergency calls will be to the Marshall County Sheriffs Department or Plymouth City Police Department, which shall notify the Animal Control Officer.
The Marshall County Humane Society may charge any owner of an animal that has been impounded a boarding fee and an impounding fee in connection with the redemption of their animal. That fee cannot be greater than the fees charged by local veterinarians for boarding. The fee must be reasonably related to the costs of handling and record keeping that has been incurred as a result of the impounding.
The Marshall County Humane Society is responsible for keeping proper and complete records concerning the finance and operation of the shelter and all monies collected or disbursed.
The City of Plymouth has the right to inspect and audit such records upon request.
The Marshall County Humane Society is an independent contractor and retains the authority to employ and direct all persons necessary to carry out the terms and responsibilities of this agreement.
Such employees shall at all times be under the direction and control of the Society.
The Society shall have full power and authority to select the means, manner and method of performing its obligations under this agreement.
The Society and the City shall mutually indemnify and hold each other harmless from all demands, claims, causes of action and judgments, including all expenses, court costs and reasonable attorney fees that may be incurred in investigating and defending same, which may arise out of any act or negligence of the Society or City, its contractors, agents, employees or servants in connection with the operation of its shelter facility or in the performance of its duties and obligations under this agreement.
The Society shall procure and maintain adequate amounts of general public liability insurance, with a responsible insurance company qualified to do business in the State of Indiana, insuring against claims for personal injury and property damage.
