Brownwood Animal Control Officer Amy Abernathy was recognized by the City of Comanche at Tuesday’s meeting of the Brownwood City Council. Comanche Mayor Ronnie Clifton presented Abernathy with a certificate of appreciation for her help and tireless service assisting Comanche animal control officers on June 23rd.
According to Mayor Clifton, Abernathy provided not only her service to the City of Comanche’s effort but was able to teach the Comanche officers, who were overwhelmed with the number of animals involved in this incident, with a few “tricks of the trade,” which were very helpful.“Amy was instrumental in the safe and efficient handling of a demanding call for service that also involved the City, Comanche Police, Department of Comanche Code Enforcement and Comanche Animal Control. All of the departments of the City of Comanche would wish Amy’s supervisors and the City of Brownwood to know of her dedication, her professionalism, and her willingness to help others in need, and there was a dire need that night,” said Mayor Clifton. “Amy, we are very grateful for your service that went above and beyond really what you had to do that night. You certainly got us out of a bind. As a neighbor of Brownwood, Comanche is very grateful for your willingness to help and to the City of Brownwood for having such an outstanding individual as Amy.”
City of Comanche Administrator Robert Evans stated that the incident of possible animal cruelty involved an individual who had violated the city’s ordinance of no more than 4 animals at a residence within the city limits. Code enforcement had been sent to investigate the reported offense and found the residence to be the home to dozens of dogs. Because the court will rule on the case Friday, the number of animals involved and details of the case was not released by Evans.
“After preliminary medical evaluations of the animals by veterinarians, none of the animals were found to be starving,” said Evans. “They were dirty, nasty and smelly but not malnourished.”
Evans explained that this was a huge effort by many to remove the animals and cure the ordinance violation.
“This was the biggest operation in our city’s history,” said Evans. “The ASPCA was called in, Comanche Animal Control officers, Brownwood Animal Control Officer Amy Abernathy, and many volunteers from Comanche’s Keep All Pets Alive came to help remove the animals from the home.”
After a 10-day period, the animals will be up for adoption said Evans who explained that the city’s goal is to find good homes for all of the animals involved. Ten of the puppies involved have had people pledge to adopt them already; however, there are many more of the dogs needing homes. He stated that many of the dogs are being housed at an old animal clinic that the city owns and that Comanche’s Keep All Pets Alive is working to help get the animals adopted, and will be listing them on their Facebook page.
Abernathy was honored but for the recognition; however, she stated that credit also should go to her coworker, City of Brownwood Animal Control Officer Judy Williams who would have helped but is recuperating from a recent surgery.
“We work together daily, along with many other city employees, to help each other out to make this a better place to live,” said Abernathy.
Pictured above is Comanche Mayor Clifton presenting a certificate of appreciation to City of Brownwood Animal Control Officer Amy Abernathy.
In other matters on Tuesday’s Brownwood City Council agenda:
*A public hearing was held and an ordinance on first reading was approved to close a portion of Sixth Street between Coggin Avenue and Avenue E and the alley from Sixth Street to Seventh Street between Coggin Avenue and Avenue E, located in Block 1, Lots 7-12, Clark Addition and Block 30, Lots 1-12 of the Ford Addition. This matter will be considered again at the next meeting of the council, most likely on the consent agenda.
*A public hearing was held and an ordinance on first reading was approved to close an undeveloped alley located between 1107 and 1111 Belle Plain Avenue, between Lot 4, Block 17 and Lot 1, Block 18, of the Brookesmith Brownwood Addition, beginning at Belle Plain Avenue continuing Southwest 142’ to an alley. This matter will be considered again at the next meeting of the council, most likely on the consent agenda.
*Council approved an ordinance on second and third/final readings closing an alley located between 1108 and 1110 West Baker, being Lot 1, Block 21, and Lot 4, Block 20 of the Brookesmith Brownwood Subdivision, beginning at West Baker and continuing 150’ Northeast to an alley.
*Council authorized the city manager to sign an agreement with Brian Clark of Ranch Pro Real Estate to sell 31 city-owned lots. The city worked to provide a request for proposal to all Brownwood real estate brokerages to submit a bid for the listing of these properties for sale, according to City Manager Emily Crawford; however, there was only one proposal received. Clark will list the properties for 6 months with an option to extend the listing. The terms of the listing specify any properties that sell for equal or less than $1000 will have a $500 commission assessed, those over $1000 will receive a $1000 commission or 6%, whichever is greater. Crawford stated that some of these properties may result in the loss of money from the city but the investment in their sale will be offset by getting these properties back on the tax roll and by the city not having the cost of maintaining the properties.
*Council approved appointments to the Brownwood Municipal Development District (BMDD) Board of Directors.
