By Nathan Prewett, For The Tribune
MOODY – During a regular meeting on Monday, Feb. 14, the Moody City Council held a hearing for a resident who was appealing a recommendation from the Moody Police Department to euthanize his two dogs following an incident in which a married couple’s dog was attacked and killed.
Moody City Council held a hearing for a resident who was appealing a recommendation from the Moody Police Department to euthanize his two dogs following an incident in which a married couple’s dog was attacked and killed. (Photo by Nathan Prewett)
The hearing began with City Attorney James Hill as he brought up the dangerous animals ordinance, which prohibits dangerous animals inside the city limits and may be destroyed if an attack occurs under certain circumstances.
The specific details of the ordinance can be found here in Chapter Six of the city’s codes.
Evidence was presented by Lt. Reece Smith and Officer Jim Headly. Reece said that he responded to a call on Jan. 14 and arrived at the property of Lee and Simone Barnes. He and another officer saw that an attack had occurred.
The Barnes were not there as they had earlier found their injured dog on the porch and took him to an animal hospital in Odenville but later passed away.
He spoke to the Barnes, who said they believed that the dogs that attacked theirs had come from an address belonging to Bobby R. McKleroy. Smith said that he was familiar with the address and went there to speak with McKleroy, who claimed that the dogs that attacked the Barnes’ dog were not his.
Reece said that McKleroy further stated that someone else was staying there at his house at the time and that the dogs possibly had gotten out. Reece cited him then and later took custody of the animals following an order from a judge. The dogs were at a shelter at the time of the meeting.
A video taken on the property of the Barnes’ of the incident was presented at the meeting. The video mostly showed what Smith pointed out were McKleroy’s mixed-breed dogs present on and around the Barnes’ property. Parts graphically depicted attacks, though the porch where the Barnes’s dog was found grievously injured on could not be seen.
The video also showed McKleroy’s friend, Gerald Jones, taking the dogs away from the property after the attacks. During an interview with Jones, Reece said that he was staying at McKleroy’s residence when he saw that the dogs had gotten out and retrieved them after some difficulty.
With the evidence presented, Reece concluded that the dogs belonging to McKleroy be euthanized.
“We feel like it is a threat to other dogs in the city and other residents in the city,” Reece said.
Lee Barnes spoke to the council and showed pictures of his dog, which was a miniature schnauzer. He said that McKleroy’s dogs have been on his property before and stressed that they were a danger to others.
“I’m in fear for myself and for others,” he said. “I know it’s a very hard decision, and I hate it.”
Simone Barnes mentioned the possibility of nearby children being hurt by aggressive dogs.
McKleroy said that he was sorry for the Barnes’s dog but that his dogs had not acted dangerously in the four years that he has had them, describing them as being like children.
“I’m sorry the dog got injured and killed,” he said. “But I don’t see why I’ve got to have my dogs that are like my children put to sleep.”
Afterward, Hill suggested that a period of seven days be approved before the dogs are euthanized. This would give McKleroy a chance to file another appeal, which he said he would. The council unanimously approved this. Barring a change in the decision, the dogs will be put down next week.
At the beginning of the meeting, the council heard from department heads for the month of January.
Police Chief Thomas Hunt reported 1,583 calls, 57 arrests, 141 warning citations, 291 tickets, 78 misdemeanors (closed 74), 59 felonies (closed 47), and 16,478 miles were driven by police vehicles. In addition, $4,121.12 was spent on vehicle maintenance.
Fire Chief Larry Horton reported 249 responses, four fires (two residential, one vehicle, one woods/grass/rubbish), 115 emergency medical calls, nine vehicle wrecks, 36 public services, 38 lift assists, and 27 false alarms. The average dispatch to enroute time was two minutes seven seconds, and dispatch to arrive time was six minutes, 49 seconds.
There were 14 annual inspections, three re-inspections, and one fire hydrant inspection.
The meeting ended with the council entering into executive session to discuss pending litigation matters.
In other business the council:
- Approved a request from Hunt for payment to Cellebrite for yearly subscription for cell phone examinations at a cost of $6,775.00,
- Approved a request from Hunt for payment for partial yearly ammo purchase at a cost of $1,095,
- Approved a request from Hunt for a travel room for Lt. Hicks as he attends an FBI training class in Huntsville at a cost of $369.70,
- Approved a request from Hunt for new tires for car #348 2016 Tahoe at a cost of $873.00,
- Approved a request from Hunt to post part-time police clerk position for the police department,
- Approved a request from Hunt to attend a Chiefs winter conference in Mobile in February 2022 for $700,
- Approved a request from Hunt of a yearly payment to Leads on Line for $2,370.03,
- Approved a request from Public Works Director Steve Mitchell to have the floors at Whites Chapel Community Center cleaned, stripped, and buffed for $1,000,
- Approved a request from Mitchell to have the Public Works Dump truck repaired for $2700,
- Approved a request from Library Director Patsy Spradley to renew the yearly Book Systems’ Atriuum Circulation System. The cost was $2,285.00 for hosting and technical support, eZcat, and OPAC Snapshot,
- Approved a request from Parks and Recreation Director Mike Staggs of a Public Works Project to remodel the rear park restrooms not to exceed $25,500.00,
- Approved a request from Staggs to purchase a new desktop computer for Civic Center Manager at a cost of $1,017.66,
- Approved a request from Horton to renew the yearly reporting software for $2,741.20,
- Approved a request from Horton to purchase of cleaning and maintenance supplies for apparatus at a cost of $725,
- Approved a request from Horton for service and test to be performed on the Breathing Air Compressor for $860,
- Approved a request from Horton to replace the processor on one of the Fire Pumps at the Moody Industrial Park for $6,968.03,
- Approved a request from Horton to have dividers for equipment fabricated for the rescue truck for $3,200.00,
- Approved a request from Councilwoman Linda Crowe to purchase 60th Anniversary banners for the City of Moody not to exceed $800,
- Approved Crow’s request to add tele-work and workplace safety to the City Hall downstairs conference room. (These include no contact Zoom meetings, web-based meetings, and classes). Equipment includes monitors/TV, computer, software, network, and re-model. The cost is not to exceed $5,000.00 and is re-funded from the American Rescue Plan Act,
- Approved Lee’s request for Resolution R2022-02-14 for fire protection services for the Moody Industrial Park and
- Approved Lee’s request to survey the city property on Carl Jones Road behind Publix for $3,350.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.
