Non-Profit Established For Animal Control In Bourbon

A group concerned about Bourbon’s animal control issue has established a non-profit to support a facility.

The Bourbon Animal Care & Control Corporation has been registered through the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office to provide financial support for the city to establish, maintain and operate the animal care control facility.

Dan Gray, who owns Bourbon Cafe & Coffee Saloon with his wife Michelle, addressed the Bourbon City Council on Aug. 15.

Michelle Reynolds Gray was attacked by a loose pit bull in April.

Others have been attacked by loose dogs in Bourbon, according to the Gray family.

The week before the meeting, Gray said another loose dog was running around the building and barking at customers. The dog was running around the sidewalk and patio area.

He said he tried to get a leash on the dog, but it turned around to bite him.

Gray called a Crawford County deputy because a Bourbon police officer was not on duty. The deputy also tried to get a leash on the dog, but was unsuccessful.

The next day, Reynolds Gray was mowing the back of the property when the same dog, along with another pit bull, charged at her.

The dogs circled Reynolds Gray and barked at her. 

She contacted Bourbon Police and the officer ticketed the owner.

Gray said many businesses have discussed supporting fundraising for animal control in Bourbon.

An application has been submitted to the Internal Revenue Service to get a 501(c)3 designation, allowing donors to receive a tax credit.

Gray also asked the council to explain the updated animal control ordinance and how it would be enforced.

City Attorney Robert Davis told Gray the ordinance was lengthy. When Gray asked if it had been enforced, Davis said “a few tickets” had been written.

Bourbon has maximum penalties on the books for various animal-related fines. The city has added registration and replacement of lost tags to the ordinance.

The city has sought out animal control officers from other towns, but has been turned down.

Bourbon operated a kennel around 20 years ago, but the facility shut down following complaints from the Humane Society of Missouri. HSMO took issue with the lack of a climate-controlled area to house animals.