MINERAL COUNTY – Mineral County commissioners recently made a decision about an issue that has lingered for several months regarding employees who work in the emergency dispatch center and whether they are allowed to have canine companions with them while they work.

The issue came up last fall after commissioners said they were concerned about the presence of multiple animals within the facility at one time. Former Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas, current Sheriff Tom Bauer and dispatch employees who bring their animals into the center argued in previous commissioner meetings that the animals were there to provide mental and emotional assistance during periods of on-the-job stress.

Commissioners stated in previous meetings that they were concerned the animals could pose a hazard in an area that is vital to coordinating emergency services in Mineral County. After several months of debate and consultation with the county attorney and county insurance provider, the commissioners decided employees that have met certain criteria would be allowed to have their canine companions in specific areas that are not public. They said service animals would still be allowed in public areas.

“For now, they (dispatch employees) are allowed to have a dog in the dispatch area,” said Mineral County Commissioner Roman Zylawy.

Mineral County Commissioner Laurie Johnston said the primary concern was to make sure the presence of dogs in the dispatch area did not become a distraction for employees and would not present an issue for the county insurance provider.

“Our stance was it was a liability having dogs in there,” Johnston said. “Nobody has tripped over a dog yet, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. There is an area in there that can be cornered off and that’s hopefully something we can come to an agreement on.”