County pays for 14 chickens killed by a stray dog

It?s a law that has been on the books since 1919, and the members of Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners fulfilled their obligation. The county received a claim from a North Allis Township resident who had 14 chickens killed at her house by a stray dog. ?This was submitted by Terry Wregglesworth, the supervisor of North Allis Township,? said Pat Cornett, county treasurer, addressing the commissioners last Friday. ?Under the law, the county is liable to pay for those damages.?

THE LAW isn?t exclusive to chickens, though. If a horse is killed by a dog, a county resident could ask for up to $100. The Presque Isle County Sheriff?s Department investigated the dog complaint and confirmed the chickens were indeed killed by a dog and not another animal. Wregglesworth submitted a claim for $70, which equates to $5 a chicken. County clerk Sue Rhode ?pointed out that the board has a policy at $2 a chicken, where this is $5 a chicken, so you either have to update the policy to $5 a chicken or only allow her $2 a chicken,? said Cornett. The law was updated to $2 a chicken in 1979. Cornett said it?s the first such claim she?s ever received. Commissioner Bob Schell said he checked into other prices and found an Onaway grocery store that was selling chicken at 19 cents a pound. At that price one could purchase 10 pounds for $2.

CHAIRMAN ALLAN BRUDER asked board members if they wanted to increase the amount. Schell said ?there have been no prior claims,? so he felt there was no reason to change it. ?Who pays you if someone breaks your window?? asked Schell. ?People have homeowners insurance to cover damages, and I don?t know why the county?s even liable. ?Because the law has not changed, that?s why,? Cornett said. ?It?s a stupid law. There are a lot of stupid laws on the books, but just leave it the way it is,? said Schell.

The commissioners ultimately decided to pay what the current policy states, $2 a chicken, so the woman will receive a check for $28, instead of the $70 claim that was submitted. As for the dog, it got away.