The town of Kilmichael is working toward resolving its dog problem, but the solution may be just temporary.
Mayor Bobby Howell and many others in the boardroom have complaints of dogs that wander around the neighborhood, some terrorizing people.
As a solution, Public Works Director John Pearson told Howell and Alderman Earnest Curtis, Alderwoman Wilma Carodine, and Alderman Charles Austin of a dog trap that he could have built to help catch stray dogs.
“I’m just tired of apologizing and not doing anything about it,” Howell said. “We’ve got to come up with a plan to do something.”
Pearson offered to catch them and fix up a small pound down by the water lagoon to help board them. He said he wanted to talk with the Winona Veterinarian Clinic to see what steps he would have to take.
Board attorney Lane Greenlee told Howell and aldermen that they would need to give notice and follow proper procedure after catching the animals.
“Because if we don’t, we’ll really be in trouble then,” Greenlee said.
He also told those in attendance that if a stray dog went after a chicken or a person’s livestock, then according to Mississippi law, the person had the right to protect their livestock as they saw fit.
“You can’t just shoot at them because they’re bothering you. No, no, no. That’s illegal, and that’ll get you in trouble. That’s a misdemeanor,” he said.
“But you can defend yourself,” added Police Chief David Eldridge.
Howell said Alderman Bernard Jenkins was also gathering information from a friend of his who was an animal control officer in Grenada, but he said he hadn’t heard anything from him yet.
Howell also added the problem is that people were coming to town and feeding the stray dogs and as long as their being fed, they wouldn’t leave.
“Then, they need to take them with them,” Austin said.
“Well, I have a question,” City Clerk Pauline Hall said. “As a citizen, what are we going to do about the cats? You can’t even go to Greenlee’s without the cats surrounding your vehicle when you get out. It’s ridiculous.”
“They’re just as bad as the dogs,” Howell said.
Also, Pearson discussed the high natural gas bills that some residents had due to the cold months. He said those with high bills had until May 10 to get them paid or service to their gas would be shut off.
“It’s not for the people whose bill is $150 and they just hadn’t paid it, but it’s for the people who have a high bill.”
Those with a high bill must fill out paperwork at City Hall in order to get on the payment plan.
That led to a discussion of whether or not residents could have propane. He said there were some in town with propane and they were grandfathered in, but if you lived in the town of Kilmichael, you couldn’t have propane.
“You can’t have it at all?” Hall asked.
“No,” Pearson said. “They told us not to let propane come in when you have natural gas.”
“Well, some people can’t afford it,” Hall said.
Pearson said anyone has it now can keep it but if they sell their home and the next buyer gets it, the propane tank could no longer be used.
Also, board members discussed water agreements of those who were deceased but someone in the family still kept the bill in that person’s name and hadn’t gotten their own bill.
According to Pearson and Deputy Clerk Patrice Truly, there were several residents who lived in a home after the person was deceased. Hall and Pearson said previously the town sent out letters to have those living in the home get their own service.
“Some of them came down and did it but some of them never showed up,” Hall said.
She said some people still pay for the bill in the deceased person’s name. Aldermen asked if a list could be compiled of those who were deceased and still had service.
“If they don’t come down here and get a new service, then they need to be shut off. They’ll come down here then,” Austin said.
