Cole County Commission approves ASPCA grant application, Cole County Jail improvements
Marie Moyer
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Jefferson City Animal Shelter may receive a $7,000 ASPCA grant to help with operational costs following a large animal abuse investigation in July.
Court documents reported that four people, Casey Logsdon, Jessica Morgan, Ashley Ousley and Henry Ousley Jr. were charged were charged July 24 with 19 counts of accessory to animal abuse.
Previous reporting indicates the four were arrested last month after Cole County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a mobile home on July 15 for a wellness check, where they were told about the animals.
On Tuesday, a warrant was issued for Randy Allen Morgan in connection with the July 15 investigation. According to court documents, Randy was the roommate of Jessica Morgan.
Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler reported deputies found 19 dogs, three puppies and two cats. During a later visit, they found two dogs, one cat, a gerbil, a lizard, two rabbits and some chickens.
“It was quite a few animals that we took to the shelter to drop off,” Wheeler said. “That’s a lot of work you’re pushing down on the shelter.”
Wheeler added that it costs the shelter around $4,000 for veterinary services for 19 animals. The sheriff’s office estimated it would cost $3,000 for the additional animals.
“My animal control officer found out that there was a possible grant through the ASPCA that could help offset some of those costs,” Wheeler said.
The Cole County Commission also approved the replacement of the Cole County Jail’s radio system. Wheeler said that the system is around 11 years old and helps staff communicate with each other inside the jail and across the street at the courthouse.
The repairs cost around $20,400.
“It’s getting where we can’t find parts for it,” Wheeler said. “It’s working pretty good right now, but like I said, what I don’t want to do is wait until it finally dies the last time and then we’re out because this could be a month or a month and a half turnaround.”
Logsdon and Jessica Morgan are scheduled for a council status hearing on Aug. 12, while Ousley and Ousley Jr. are set to make their first court appearances on Aug. 26. All four suspects have bonded out of jail.
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