Replace the Current Animal Control Officer in Bath County, Kentucky

Summary:
We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Bath County, Kentucky, respectfully request that Judge-Executive Forrest McKenzie and the Bath County Fiscal Court review and replace the current animal control officer, David Jackson. We believe this change is necessary to ensure that Bath County’s animal control services are conducted professionally, responsibly, and in full compliance with Kentucky animal welfare laws.

Full Description:
Bath County’s animal control officer is responsible for protecting the safety and welfare of both animals and residents, as required under Kentucky Revised Statute (KRS) 258.195. However, numerous citizens have expressed concerns regarding the current officer’s handling of animal welfare cases, response times, and community engagement.

We believe Bath County deserves an animal control department that is compassionate, effective, and responsive to the public it serves. Proper enforcement of animal welfare standards is essential to protecting pets, livestock, and the public from neglect and abuse. There have been numerous online reports for the public of Bath County to see evidence that the animal control issues in Bath County are not being tended to according to the duties assigned to every animal control officer in the state. 

KRS 258.195 — “The governing body of each county shall … establish and maintain an animal shelter as a means of facilitating and administering KRS 258.095 to 258.500.” 

KRS 258.215 — when a dog is impounded, the law states it “shall be impounded in the designated animal shelter of the county and confined in a humane manner.” 

KRS 258.119 — to be eligible for certain state grants, a county must maintain an animal shelter (or contract for shelter services) and meet housing standards (segregation of sick animals, quarantine, etc.)

We, the undersigned, call upon Judge-Executive Forrest "Frosty" McKenzie and the Bath County Fiscal Court to:

1. Conduct a full review of the current animal control officer’s performance and duties;

2. Take appropriate action to replace the officer if deficiencies are found; and

3. Allow the citizens of Bath County to vote on and elect a qualified, community-minded individual to serve as Animal Control Officer, ensuring that the position reflects the will and values of the community rather than an appointed decision.

We ask that this petition be formally acknowledged at a future Bath County Fiscal Court meeting and entered into the public record.