Health board topics range from trash to euthanasia

Flathead City-County Board of Health members heard an update Thursday on secure trash loads, animal shelter issues and restaurants with low sanitation scores.

Health Board member Dr. Wayne Miller said Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry had moved forward with enforcement of Ordinance 8 that requires securing trash hauled to the green boxes or the landfill.

Miller, who also serves on the county solid waste board, said at least one citation was issued last week to a driver hauling a load of uncovered grass into the landfill.

According to Miller, signs warning about securing loads are now up at all green box sites as well as on a billboard on U.S. 93 South. A citation may bring a fine of up to $200.

“I think you can already see a difference on the highway,” Miller said. 

If a question arises over the definition of “secure,” Miller said that the sheriff will approach the county commissioners for clarification.

Also at the regular June meeting, board members received a report from Flathead Animal Advisory Committee President Cindie Jobe. One item mentioned a review of euthanasia due to concerns raised over the IP (intraperitoneal or in the body cavity) method used at the animal shelter.

During his report on the shelter, director Cliff Bennett said the debate is between the IP versus IV intravenous method. He said the IV method has some good points but it’s often difficult to find a vein on cats.

“Our vet, Dr. List, has found that in euthanizing cats, it’s more humane to use the IP method,” he said.

He and a technician at the shelter received training in both methods. Bennett said it’s safer for the technician handling the hazardous substance rather than struggling to find a vein.

Miller, a medical doctor, called the IP method safe and quick since it was rapidly absorbed.

Flathead County Animal Shelter operates as a low-kill facility, which means dogs and cats are only euthanized if they are too ill, too old or vicious or for other reasons are unadoptable.

 During the shelter report, Bennett showed the shelter’s new website that displays pictures of the dogs and cats with their descriptions. The website now ties into the software program used at the shelter.

Bennett said the upgrade proved beneficial.

“We’re really doing a lot of adoptions from out of the area,” he said. “Our online licensing is a success as well.”

He reported that the animal shelter had a break-in two weeks ago. A burglar stole a $500 camera and the collection box.

As a result, the shelter now has a safe for valuables and is looking into video surveillance and security lighting.

In another report, Wendee Jacobs of Environmental Health Services discussed her report that showed La Hacienda in Whitefish, The Garden Bar in Bigfork and Boiler Room Brew in Kalispell receiving poor inspection scores (C+ or lower) in May.

When the Garden Bar failed to raise its score at a follow-up inspection and because of its many repeat violations, Jacobs said the department was implementing a plan of compliance that requires more inspections and food safety training for the person in charge of food operations.

Jacobs said that Marina Cay in Bigfork has completed its plan of compliance. She said the restaurant remains on an accelerated inspection schedule to make sure good sanitation practices continue with new seasonal employees hired.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com .