By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
A warrant was obtained by the Great Bend Police Department for the property at 301 Chestnut Street stemming from a dog bite incident at the property in late June. With the warrant, members from the Barton County Health Department, Golden Belt Humane Society and the Great Bend Building Inspector conducted an inspection of the mobile home on June 26.
Wearing biohazard suits, officials found heaps of trash, live roaches and fleas and animal feces. There were five dogs and six cats removed from the residence, and officials found the carcass of what appeared to be a cat.
The Great Bend City Council approved a public hearing for the unsafe and
dangerous structure for Aug. 21. Assistant City Administrator
Logan Burns said the property owner and tenant will have time to clean and haul
off the home prior to the council deciding to demolish or remove structure.
"This sets the public hearing," said Burns. "At that point, we'll present the same evidence that we have here. This is just to start the process. If they (owner and tenant) don't carry out their end and get everything cleaned up. They can do everything before this, but this is our safety net to make sure it goes through."
Water service was shut off to the residence on June 2, and the only utility hooked up was
electricity. In the bathroom, there were five-gallon buckets being used for
sewage collection. Barton County Health Director Karen Winkelman noted in her report that there was not any area in the house without stepping on roaches, fleas, rubbish or feces.
The resident sat outside during the inspection and
noted he could find temporary living arrangements with his brother-in-law. The tenant of the property was in violation of city ordinances for the requirements of multiple animal permits. Winkelman assessed the puncture wounds from the dog bite on the tenant's hand and recommended he receive the Tdap vaccination.
