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LOGAN — It’s not clear who abruptly cut off talks, but now contract negotiations between Logan City and the Cache Humane Society have come to a halt.
Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen said an officer was locked out of the Humane Society Thursday when he showed up to impound a dog. Cache Humane Society Executive Director Stacey Frisk said that was only a miscommunication over new locks, and that it was Logan police who abruptly packed up and left.
Either way, there is a disagreement over how the Humane Society should be paid in the future.
“We have revised our impound rates to allow us to continue serving this community as a no-kill shelter,” Frisk explained. The shelter has had no-kill status since 2016.
The Cache Humane Society’s proposed contract included overall fee changes to the city, totaling roughly a 20-percent increase.
“On average, if the stray animals go unclaimed and they enter our adoptable population, cats are spending about 50 days in our shelter, and dogs are spending almost 30 days in our shelter,” Frisk said.
The most recent contract the Humane Society had with Logan city expired last May. As Logan Police Capt. Tyson Budge explained, however, the city’s fiscal year starts over in July, and funding changes need approval from the city council.
“They wanted us to sign a contract months ago,” Budge explained. “We were unable to, and they came in and threatened to stop service with us.”
Logan City’s counteroffer started with a flat $20,000 to be paid to the Humane Society each year. They would also allow the Humane Society to collect and keep fees set by the city for boarding, licensing and impounding. City estimates show that would result in a 13-percent increase, based on 2016 numbers, or a 32-percent increase, based on 2017.
“Logan City Police and the Cache Humane Society have the same goal, which is to find a safe home for every animal.” — Capt. Tyson Budge
“Logan City police and the Cache Humane Society have the same goal, which is to find a safe home for every animal,” Budge said.
For now, Frisk said the Humane Society will continue to use the kennels that were previously used by Logan City.
“We will fill those kennels with at-risk animals,” Frisk said. “We will find loving homes for them. We will save more lives. We will maintain our standard of care, and our commitment to being a no-kill shelter.”
Budge said the city has been looking for private boarding facilities to house animals, but that the search has been difficult since he said business owners are reluctant to appear to be taking sides in the dispute. So far, he said officers have been able to reunite strays with owners.
“We’re just trying to survive day to day with what comes in and get them put somewhere safe and hopefully locate the owner,” Budge said.
Between the mayor, police chief, and Frisk, both sides are hoping talks can resume sometime next week.
