Another Kosciusko County Animal Control Officer Protest Being Planned
WARSAW — Protesters calling for Jerry Clase to be removed from his position as county animal control officer apparently weren’t kidding when they told Kosciusko commissioners earlier this month that the protests will not stop.
According to Phaedra Chaney, who organized the protest in front of the county courthouse prior to the Kosciusko commissioners’ July 23 meeting, a silent protest is being planned for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6. This protest will also be held in front of the courthouse. Protesters plan to carry small wooden crosses with dog collars, Chaney said.
The commissioners unanimously agreed on July 23 to suspend Clase for five days without pay for his handling of a case involving a dog in Etna Green in June.
Sherry Koser said she was at work on June 19 when her landlord allowed Clase to take Daisy, Koser’s 14-year-old boxer, after a complaint alleging animal neglect. According to Koser, Daisy had a tumor, and Koser was working with Dr. Tess Peavy, executive director of Public Veterinary Services, to obtain funds to address Daisy’s condition.
Clase admitted he had taken Daisy, shot her and disposed of the body.
Protesters said they believe the five-day suspension was insufficient.
“We’re not messing around,” said Chaney. “We will not stop. Clase is back on the job, and people are super vigilant. He’s under a microscope right now.”
Chaney said a future weekend rally in the park is being planned, with affidavits and witness reports available to the public and a no-cost notary on site.
“We will be protesting at every commissioners meeting until we can get this to the State Attorney General,” Chaney said.
More than 60 people participated in the July 23 protest.