This petition is open to Bartholomew County Indiana residents only.

Thor was a dog in Bartholomew county, Indiana who was neglected by his owner for over 3 years. He was documented emaciated and malnourished by 2 neighbors in late 2018. Bartholomew county animal control was called multiple times due to Thor’s malnourished condition. Thor was taken from his owner three times by county animal control and returned twice to his owner in the same malnourished, emaciated condition. Thor died November 2, 2021 after being removed from his owner a third time emaciated and malnourished.

Since Thor's death, nothing has changed in the operations of Bartholomew county animal control. The animal care regulations have not been updated and remain vague, ineffective and unenforceable. Our group Change 4 Bartholomew County~Animal Advocacy has spoken with our County Commissioners multiple times, asking that they update the ordinances so another animal does not suffer needlessly like Thor did. We are now asking the residents of Bartholomew County, Indiana to join us in our efforts. We are advocating for domesticated animals. We respect the agriculture community as it pertains to good animal husbandry, but the two are very different. These ordinances are for domesticated animals.

If you are a resident of Bartholomew County, Indiana, please sign this petition in support of updated ordinances similar to what the city of Columbus currently has. Columbus city animal ordinances are clear, precise, not open to interpretation and are enforceable by animal control officers and law enforcement personnel. 

Our current county ordinances are targeted at animal control only. The city ordinances include both animal control and animal welfare ordinances.

Bartholomew county animal care regulations have not been updated since the 1980's and do not reflect the current best practices of humane care for domesticated animals. The city regulations were updated in 2019.

Please support our cause and sign this petition if you are a Bartholomew county resident.

Thank you.