Saline Animal League calls eviction ‘unlawful’
MARSHALL, Mo. (KMIZ)
An animal rescue organization in Saline County said this week that its eviction from Marshall city facilities is "unlawful."
Members of the Saline Animal League say that last Friday they were greeted with armed officers who removed the staff and volunteers from the premises.
The City of Marshall terminated its memorandum of understanding with the organization on Oct. 1. The memo is a non-binding agreement that outlines how the parties will conduct business, take action or form a partnership. The shelter then contacted the Missouri Department of Agriculture on Oct. 6 about the city terminating the agreement.
The city contends the animal league no longer had a valid license to operate a shelter from the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
The community was concerned about the shelter being removed by the city, so a "Listening Session" was held on Oct. 17, according the Saline Animal League press release. After the session, the City of Marshall "expressed renewed interest in working toward a new, mutually beneficial agreement with SAL to operate the shelter."
The shelter's attorney was in negotiations with the city for around 12 weeks while the city and the shelter were still working together past the original termination date. The organization states in the press release that the negotiations ended abruptly when Saline Animal League was served a notice of termination on Friday.
"It is undisputed that at some point between October 6, 2023, and January 5, 2024, the City of Marshall
became aware of the October 6, 2023, communication from SAL to the MDA informing the MDA of the City’s October notice of termination," stated in the press release. "Not once after the City became aware of the SAL communication with the MDA, did it reach out to SAL for clarification or explain to the MDA that the October termination deadline was extended by the City."
The President of Saline Animal League, Danita Phillips believes the City of Marshall took advantage of miscommunication with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture agrees that there was some miscommunication and it was not an issue with compliance. The Department sent a letter to the shelter saying that their license was not revoked and there was no enforcement action initiated by them.
The shelter claims that the city making false statements about the situation and the shelter's status with the Department of Agriculture. Per the release, Saline Animal League believed their removal was a decision made behind closed doors and violates the Missouri Sunshine Law. The shelter is exploring all legal options.
