Huntingburg orders demolition of home involved in animal cruelty case
Huntingburg — The Huntingburg Board of Public Works order the demolition of the home owned by Mary Burch at 609 N. Washington Street.
The home was part of an investigation into animal cruelty and neglect when 37 dogs — nine of which were found deceased and advanced levels of decomposition. Burch was subsequently charged with misdemeanor counts of animal neglect.
Last month, the Huntingburg Board of Public Works and Safety gave Burch 30 days to make substantial renovations to the home after it had been deemed unfit to live in by the Dubois County Health Department.
Huntingburg Code Enforcement Officer testified today that the improvements made at the house were minimal and superficial. He reiterated the home was still in deplorable shape with trash piles in areas of the home, a lack of running water, and the floors and ceilings decaying.
The City of Huntingburg paid Eric Curtis of RC Industry, a licensed home inspector, to provide an inspection of the home. Curtis listed many fault in the home including a water heater with exposed wiring creating a fire/electrical hazard, non-working smoke detectors, mold issues requiring remediation, and unsound walls and ceilings. He told the board he couldn’t physically inspect the roof of the home because he felt it wouldn’t support his weight.
Curtis couldn’t access the home’s basement due to an accumulation of items blocking access.
Burch testified for nearly an hour asking the board to give her an additional 3o days to work on the home.
The home has been deemed uninhabitable by the county health department but Burch admitted she had been sleeping in the home due to supplies being taken from the home and returned to area home improvement stores.
City Attorney Phil Schneider asked Burch if she has investigated subsidized housing to which she replied she only wanted to fix her home and stay there.
Board member Roger Cox told Burch that with the condition of the home, he felt that Burch would not be able to bring the house back up to code. “Putting all your social security and 401k money into it is probably not going to be the answer; probably not going to be enough money and enough time,” he said. “I think you are throwing good money after bad.”
Board member Keith Souders asked if that money wouldn’t be better spent elsewhere.
“That’s my choice,” Burch said.
“It’s not your choice if you don’t meet code, ma’am,” Mayor Denny Spinner said.
Burch stated she needed more than 30 days, but Spinner and the board pointed out the city has a long history of problems with the home and it has only worsened over the years. A file covering 16 years of code enforcement issues was presented at the last public works meeting. (Story here)
Board member Keith Souders motioned to uphold the demolition order.
“It’s been 16 years of neglect,” Souders said. “Nothing I’ve heard today makes me think anything is going to change. Out of respect for the neighbors health and property values, I feel that it’s my responsibility as a board member to uphold the recommendations of the county health department and our code enforcement officer.
Cox seconded the motion and it was approved with a unanimous vote.
Burch has 60 days to demolish the property and must show substantial progess within 30 days. If Burch does not complete the work, the city can move forward with demolishing the home and place a lien on the property for the cost to raze it.
Burch can appeal the decision and file notice with the city of the appeal within ten days. The appeal would then go before the circuit or superior court for decision.
