Commission hears plea for ‘vicious’ dog ordinance
Allen Foster came forth before the Chilton County Commission on Monday and shared his story of being attacked by three dogs while jogging in Jemison on Nov. 25, 2015.
According to Foster, he was suddenly charged and tackled by three boxers.
“I heard a roar and I knew that I was in trouble,” Foster said. “I thought I was dead.”
He lay on the ground and attempted to fend off the dogs for the next couple of minutes as they continued to bite up and down his arms and legs.
Help eventually came and the dogs scattered, while Foster was taken to the hospital for his wounds.
Foster asked the commissioners to put themselves in his wife’s position that day and to consider what was going through her mind.
Shortly after, the entire meeting room suddenly went abruptly quiet.
Due to another near attack at a different location on July 26, Foster felt that it was time to ask the Commission to adopt a “vicious” dog ordinance.
“I agree that we need to do something,” Commissioner Allen Caton said. “You’re not the first one and you won’t be the last if we don’t.”
However, Caton advised that it would be in the best interest of everyone involved to create their own law instead of adopting the state’s version.
According to Caton, it would be difficult to change the state law once it has been adopted.
“If there’s an ordinance, than at least the police can do something about it when they get called out,” Foster said.
Another topic discussed was the request by Van Forrester with the Chilton Economic Development Board for a resolution to approve the purchasing of the Alton Wright property in partnership with the City of Clanton.
The Commission agreed to the resolution, except for Heedy Hayes, who stated concern over where the money would come from if something came up regarding the industrial park.
“We all knew that it would cost a lot of money when we started this,” Hayes said. “I’m just worried about how we’re going to pay for everything.”
According to commissioner Joseph Parnell, it would have showed a lack of confidence in the Industrial/Economic Development Board if they were not to agree to the resolution.
The county’s portion of the purchase will include $55,594.88 that will be directed from the industrial/economic development budget.
The meeting came to an ended with an executive session called by Attorney John Hollis Jackson Jr. in regards to pending legal matters.
In other news from the meeting, the Commission:
•Approved a list of line item transfers in the gasoline budget.
•Declared a 2003 Ford F150 two-wheel drive pickup truck with 200,749 miles as surplus and to be replaced with an ALDOT surplus truck.
•Declared a 2010 Bushwhacker rotary cutter as surplus.
•Approved the traffic overtime grant that comes from the state for the upcoming year.
•Approved County Administrator Connie Powell to hold Collins Chapel Fire Department funding until further notice.
•Commissioner Bobby Agee nominated John Beasley for the water board.