1/6/2012
By TIM UNRUH Salina Journal

Christa Johnson figured neighbors Dorothy and Dean Long had something to do with state wildlife officials prohibiting efforts to rehabilitate wild animals at her home.

The Longs said Johnson's probably right. Mike Mitchener, wildlife section chief for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, said the Longs' complaints represented a "small amount" of influence in the decision that was announced in early December.

A north Salina neighborhood flap that has lingered nearly two decades contributed in part to Johnson, members of the Longs' family and others addressing the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission on Thursday at Kansas Wesleyan University.

The issue was Johnson's nonprofit Triple R Wildlife Rescue program and others who rehabilitate wildlife.

The state issued an administrative decision last month to stop wildlife rehabilitation operations with outdoor holding pens within the limits of Kansas cities, primarily in residential areas.

The mandate came about two weeks before Johnson was due to renew her rehab permits. She is among 17 wildlife rehabilitators and another 69 "sub-permittees" in Kansas who rescue animals, nurse them back to health and release them to the wild.

Mitchener said the complaints -- from other towns as well -- are over "visual, odor and noise issues."

Odor is the big one to the Longs, who live at 515 N. 13th, next door to Johnson at 513 N. 13th.

"The first thing is it stinks," said Dorothy, who did not attend the meeting.

"We've lived in this house for 56 years," she said. "Why we have to live like this is not fair to us."

The odor isn't always so strong, but other times "it almost makes you puke," said Greg Long, a son of Dorothy and Dean. He lives on the opposite side of the street at 540 N. 13th and also owns three rental houses south of his home.

"If you live there 24-7 next door to it you smell it every day, or every other day, whenever the wind's in the right direction," Greg Long said.

The odor is worse in the spring and summer, he said, especially after a rain.

"She's rehabilitating skunks, deer and whatever else is brought to her. She's more than welcome to rehab animals, but not in Salina, not in a residential neighborhood," Greg Long said.

Not everyone in the neighborhood shares those opinions.

Beverly Collins, who lives on the south side of Johnson, at 511 N. 13th, said she doesn't smell anything.

"She's a nice person. I think that (Triple R) is beautiful. I like animals," Collins said.

Johnson welcomed visitors to sniff around her property Thursday. Other than domestic animals inside of her home and some squirrels climbing trees in the back yard, there were no confined wild animals there. All were moved to a rehabber in Pretty Prairie on Christmas day.

Danny Porter, office manager at the Salina Animal Shelter, agreed, at the Salina Journal's request, to drive to Johnson's home and take a whiff or two.

"I don't smell anything," Porter said.

Johnson said she was taken to municipal court in 1994 by the Longs over her domestic animals. At the time, she wasn't rehabbing wild animals at her home.

"I was found not guilty of odor," she said.

Johnson said the Longs have been relentless in their complaints about her, and they've done it anonymously. Their angst once prompted a "surprise inspection" by two Wildlife and Parks officers, which she passed.

"The animals don't stink. Wild animals don't make noise because it draws predators," Johnson said. "I clean my pens daily, and I put an enzyme or bleach on the soil. I have yet to have any complaints from anybody but the Longs."

Dorothy Long said complaints to the city about the animals did no good.

"The city just wiped their hands of it because the state's involved," she said.

Rose Base, the animal shelter director, said the shelter was called only when Dean Long trapped Johnson's cats.

"I don't think he's ever had an odor complaint. That's always come through Wildlife and Parks," Base said. "This feud's been going on for years between these two."

Beginning in the spring of 2011, the Longs' son, Robert Long Jr., who lives in Maryland, filed a complaint with Kansas Wildlife, Parks & Tourism.

"He did it on behalf of us. He got tired of us having to live like this," Dorothy Long said. Robert Long Jr. could not be reached for comment.

Johnson was the only current North 13th resident at the meeting, but there were plenty of opinions, both pro and con.

Rehabbers are volunteers who are doing the state a favor at no cost, said Paula McKenna, of Salina.

"Part of what you're supposed to do is deal with the cranks who are going to complain," she said.

In seven years of operation, Johnson said she and her husband, Jerry Tillett, have rehabbed and released 350 animals, and her success rate is at 95 percent or better.

Johnson said she is a certified rehabilitator, and holds a scientific and educational permit, both from the state, and has passed an exam from the International Wildlife and Rehabilitators Council. Johnson added that she completes more than the eight required hours of continuing education every three years.

"If you take tools away from someone who does this, it's wrong," McKenna said. "What's the point of giving them more restrictions?"

Johnson keeps chain-link pens imbedded in concrete, partially covered by tarps, in her backyard that's surrounded by a privacy fence.

"It's not a problem to anyone," she said.

But Denise Schmidt, of Junction City, a daughter of the Longs, and Rachel Dix, of Salina, a former North 13th resident, disagree.

"I'm here to ask you to no longer allow (rehabbing in residential areas)," Schmidt said.

Growing up at her parents' house, she said the family once enjoyed sitting outside and visiting, but the animal odor prevents it.

"We have people who are pushing limits," Dix said.

She held up a copy of the fall 2011 edition of Sunflower Living magazine that's published by the Salina Journal. On the cover is a photo of Johnson's tattooed arm holding a baby skunk. Inside are more photos and stories on her operation.

Dix said the article suggests that Johnson is making pets out of the animals rather than preparing them to return to their natural habitat.

"I've got published proof right here," she said. "I've seen animals get out and roam the neighborhood day and night. There needs to be safety and health regulations improved and followed."

After listening to about an hour of debate from both sides, Commission Chairman Gerald Lauber ended the discussion at the Kansas Wesleyan Hauptli Student Center.

"While I understand both sides of the argument, I'm going to support the decision you guys (KDWPT) have made," Lauber said.

He also expressed displeasure over some or all of the seven commissioners receiving emails on the subject, some from out of the country.

Johnson said those emails were part of a petition aimed at influencing the commission to reconsider the rule change. Some of the emails did come from persons from other countries who are involved in wildlife rehabilitation, she said, and also many from Kansas.

"We don't have the money to try and police everything. I'm sorry that it steps on toes," Lauber said.

Johnson intends to move her operation to an industrial area near the outskirts of town, but doing that is a problem when baby animals have to be fed every two hours. Mitchener said she will still be allowed to rehab wild animals in her home or garage.

"I know no one will be sad to see the shredded tent city be removed," Dix said.

-- Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by email at tunruh@salina.com.

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