Animals at fairgrounds still in limbo
<p>Galen Crofut feeds stalks of celery to goats while visiting the animals being housed at the North Idaho Farigrounds which were confiscated from a residence near Athol by the Kootenai County sheriff’s department in January. The animals will need to be relocated if the county prosecutor fails to make a decision whether or not to press charges on the animal’s owners by April, 25.</p>
<p>A goat, which was confiscated from a residence near Athol by the Kootenai County sheriff’s department in January, bleats after being fed Thursday afternoon at the North Idaho Fairgrounds.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - When an 8-year-old girl and 139 animals were removed from an Athol home by sheriff's deputies in January, the animals were taken to the only place that could house them - the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.
In the months following the animals' arrival, no decision has been made by the county prosecutor's office on whether or not to prosecute their owners. With a series of events scheduled to begin at the fairgrounds starting in May, the animals might soon be looking for new homes.
At the end of February, Dane Dugan, Kootenai County Fair general manager, said he informed the county that the fairgrounds could only keep the animals on site through April 25.
"It's not like we don't care about the animals," Dugan said. "But it's a lot to ask of volunteers and our staff. We have to resume our normal business. We have upcoming events and we rely on those events and the income they generate."
Thursday, Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh told The Press he was "not sure" what would happen to the animals once the April deadline passes.
"I'm sure they will try to find them a temporary home," McHugh said. "We are trying to make sure we get a decision out in a timely manner."
McHugh added that his office is "hoping" to have a decision made on the case by the end of next week and was still waiting on additional information from witnesses to be submitted.
"They've been saying that for weeks now," Dugan said when told of McHugh's comment about a timetable for the decision. "They were supposed to be here for three weeks. As of April 25, it will be three months."
If the county does prosecute, McHugh said the animals "potentially would need to be available for the trial."
"That's the reality," McHugh said.
The animals - 83 rabbits, 38 guinea pigs, nine goats, four miniature horses, three chickens, a horse and a goose - are, according to Dugan, being cared for by a team of "amazing" volunteers and the staff at the fairgrounds.
Donations of food have poured in to feed the animals, and Dugan said the county is reimbursing the fairgrounds for the food and supplies they do have to purchase.
The 8-year-old child has been in protective custody since Jan. 14.