Briefs November 27, 2010

Loose dogs attack alpaca

An alpaca was attacked and suffered puncture wounds on Friday near Garwood after two dogs got free when their invisible fence became disabled.

Kootenai County animal control officer Mike Hanson said two labs got loose when snow plowing disrupted the fence. The alpaca was at the 800 block of West Ohio Match Road when it was attacked, he said.

The alpaca suffered a bite puncture wound to the neck and leg, Hanson said. He said the dogs' owner agreed to pay the veterinarian bill, and the owner of the alpaca agreed not to seek charges.

Hanson said there was some blood from the bites, but he described the attack as not being serious. He said the dogs' owner said the animals had not shown the tendency to attack in the past.

STAR Centerhearing scheduled

A proposed education center in Rathdrum has reached its final stage of getting approval.

The Kootenai County commissioners will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. Jan. 13 over a conditional use permit for a proposed Science, Technology and Research Center in Rathdrum.

Some neighbors have objected to the proposed 20,000-square-foot center, which would be just north of Rathdrum off Highway 41 on Willadsen Road, over concerns that the land isn't compatible.

Permit applicants Paul and Lorna Finman, who have also founded the nonprofit North Idaho Discovery Association, have argued there is public support for the center.