Long-simmering tensions between an animal rights advocate and the Bartholomew County Commissioners came to a boil Monday when the president of the county executives stormed out of the commissioners’ chambers.
Sandra Bush, who has been associated with Change 4 Bartholomew County — Animal Advocacy, had tense exchanges with both commissioners’ President Tony London and commissioner Larry Kleinhenz.
As the meeting was about to be adjourned, Bush asked to address the commissioners. The opening of her presentation contained an allegation that London had called Bush crazy two weeks ago. She later said the comment was made to one person within the commissioners chambers after the meeting had been adjourned.
“Just because you don’t like what I stand for does not make me crazy,” Bush said. “The truth is often painful. But there is no need to resort to name-calling or belittling comments.”
Bush went on to accuse the commissioners of “choosing to either punish me or to handle my grievance with avoidance” in regard to a comment she made in July. That grievance was about “exceptionally poor conduct on behalf of the Animal Control Department and, ultimately, on you as its leaders,” Bush told the commissioners.
She asked how many animals must be tied to trees with their heads blown off, denied medical care, starved or left without water or shade before the county does something about it. She also asked how many $100 fines must be given for beating, poisoning, or abandoning an animal before action is taken.
When London asked Bush to name an appropriate fine for the types of animal abuse she mention, Bush replied the commissioners need to delegate their authority to experts.
“You don’t have a solution,” London said. “Thank you very much.”
When Bush continued to speak, London briefly went on the offensive.
“Tell me about the lady I think you are related to who called our office and told our administrator (Tina Douglas) that they are going to get a limousine, get three pieces of rope, tie our necks and drag us out there,” London asked Bush. “How do you think that works? Meeting’s over. Thank you.”
After London stormed out of the room, Kleinhenz attempted to use a calm and friendly voice to start a conversation with Bush. But before he could complete a sentence, Bush accused him of being patronizing.
In response, Kleinhenz told Bush that by coming to a public meeting and personally scathing London for something he said in private, she contributed to London losing his temper and leaving in a huff.
“Now, what is your solution to stop dogs from being chained to trees?” Kleinhenz asked Bush. “What is your solution to stop dogs from being chained to vehicles and being dragged, or to stop dogs from being blasted with shotguns?”
Her response was that Bartholomew County once had an Animal Welfare Commission for over 20-some years.
“Can I correct you?” Kleinhenz asked. “We had an Animal Control Commission, not an Animal Welfare Commission. There’s a big difference.”
Animal control refers to the impoundment and care of animals found at large, discovered to be in violation of the law, or those animals surrendered to the department. In contrast, animal welfare refers to protecting animals. This can be done by veterinary services, education, cruelty investigation and advocacy.
The county’s animal control department has a contract with the Bartholomew County Humane Society to house captured animals. Humane societies are generally animal welfare organizations.
Bush said she believed that a Bartholomew County Animal Control Commission, which was disbanded in December 1988, should be reformed. She said it should include a veterinarian, an animal behaviorist and the top county animal control officer. Their mission should be to guide and direct the commissioners into “moving in the right direction,” Bush said.
In response, Kleinhenz said Bush’s presentation made it sound like reforming the commission will make all the county’s animal problems go away. After Bush asked Kleinhenz to be kind, the commissioner accused Bush of scathing all of the commissioners just two weeks ago.
”What was your point?” Kleinhenz asked. “Your point was that you guys are being corrupt, criminal good ole’ boys.”
Similar descriptions of the three commissioners have been posted on social media by other animal advocates.
The commissioner then suggested that it was time for Bush to reevaluate her own behavior to understand why London became ”vehemently angry” and why she was having a “real head-butting” with him.
After saying that the commissioner scares her, Bush accused Kleinhenz of calling her a dog.
“You are referring to a time six months ago when I said an appropriate song (for a discussion) would be “Who Let The Dogs Out?” Kleinhenz replied.
Both Bush and Kleinhenz brought the rhetoric back to a calm level before the conversation ended.
On the Change 4 Bartholomew County — Animal Advocacy Facebook page, the commissioners are frequently criticized for maintaining “animal control” over “animal welfare”. The commissioners have long maintained the county has neither the budget nor manpower to provide animal welfare.
