By Sam Parsons

The Mahaska County Board of Supervisors met yesterday morning and discussed the possible seizure of livestock on Galeston Avenue as a result of habitual trespassing. 

Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem told the board that the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office has received 27 calls regarding horses leaving the property in the area, and county attorney Andrew Ritland explained that Iowa law stipulates that 3 recorded instances of livestock leaving property in 12 months may constitute habitual trespassing. Sheriff Van Renterghem said that county officials do not want to seize the animals, but that they were looking for a solution to what has become a consistent problem.

The property owner was present at the meeting and said that one horse was consistently leaving her property and other horses would follow; that horse was re-homed last week, according to the property owner, and Van Renterghem verified that the Sheriff’s Office had not received any calls regarding the horses since that happened. She also noted that she has repaired the electric fence around the area where she keeps her horses.

With the property owner having taken clear steps to address the situation, the Board of Supervisors suspended the public hearing on the topic indefinitely, saying they would revisit the situation if another report of the horses leaving the property is received. In the meantime, the property owner said she would contact the West Des Moines Township trustees to examine her fence to see if it needs any further upgrades.

The next regular meeting for the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for August 4.