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Published Monday, August 16, 2010 in Local
Coweta will consider changes in its animal control ordinances
The Newnan Times-Herald
Major changes to the county's animal control ordinances will be considered at Tuesday's meeting of the Coweta County Board of Commissioners.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the county commission chambers on Perry Street.
The biggest change proposed would outlaw "tethering" of dogs for any time. That means chaining or tying a dog to a stationary object.
Dogs would be allowed to be on "runners" or "trolleys," but only when the owner is at home, for no more than four hours, and not during the night from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. An allowed trolley system must be at least 10 feet long, with a tether that allows the dog to move at least 10 feet perpendicularly.
There are also regulations on transporting dogs in the backs of pickup trucks. Measures must be in place to prevent the dog from falling or being thrown out, or jumping out, of the vehicle.
Additionally, the proposed amendments require business licenses for commercial animal establishments, humane societies and rescue groups.
As a condition of the license, all commercial establishments, humane societies and rescue groups must grant animal control officers permission to inspect their facilities to ensure all animals meet the standards set forth in the animal control ordinance.
The proposed amendments also make revisions to the rules regarding dangerous dogs.
Other items to come before the board include:
* A public hearing on the setting of the 2010 property tax millage rate.
* A presentation by Chief Ranger Terry Quigley of the Georgia Forestry Commission's Coweta office.
* Discussion of a bond issuance proposed by the Coweta County Water and Sewerage Authority.
* A proclamation for William Thomas Overby Day, and a resolution regarding the 40th anniversary for the Powers' Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival.
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I cant believe you so called rescue people. You put animals over people? and their lively hood. You make up lies and call the news channel and then spred you lies. Why dont each of you take in all the stray dogs in the county and we can save the tax payers some money. and to, why dont you get your degree and become a doctor if you want to do evaluations on the dogs and cats at the shelter. Dont just guess and then spred your lies.
Posted by come on at 11:23 AM
Yes coweta county is the only county in the country with a problem?
Posted by Joe Cool at 12:00 PM
They are kept in cages.
Posted by Joe Cool at 11:58 AM
The ignorance and stupidity of some people is mind boggling. Dogs do not belong tied to trees, car bumpers, or dog houses. Our county is so backward regarding animal control/codes. Get someone on the Commission that cares about the residents, humane animal ownership, care and control, parks and recreation, our homes, our schools...right now, it seems to be all about getting another strip mall built.
Posted by Cynthia at 5:29 PM
yes before anyone corrects me I misspelled ignorance.
Posted by Joe Cool at 4:23 PM
All your comments about the south and rednecks really shows bigotry and ingnorance. So you went from pet lover to kitty girl. In other words you don't know what you are.
Posted by Joe Cool at 3:37 PM
An somebody keeps dropping off newspapers and phone books on our lawns !! In my neck of the woods it becoming a eye sore !!! How can get this to " STOP " ?
Posted by Andrew at 2:45 PM
Sorry to disappoint you, but my home smells just fine. I don't have any dogs at the moment, just 2 cats, but when I did have a dog (a miniature schnauzer) my home still smelled wonderful. You are the ignorant one here.
Posted by Kitty Girl at 11:42 AM
First of all, the humane societies were denied access the proposed animal control ordinances and had to file and Open Records Act request to just see what the laws were going to be. Secondly, our voices were completely IGNORED at the commissioners' meeting. And thirdly, it is beyond curious that there was NO coverage of any of it in the newspapers. I wonder why.
Posted by the big picture at 6:01 AM
I read your redneck comment. Its seems you are the ignorant one. I'm sure your home smells just lovely.
Dogs are animals and not equal to humans period. They doesn't mean to treat them badly.
Posted by Joe Cool at 2:24 AM
Why should dogs be indoors? My Dad at one time raised german shepards not once did any of those dogs come indoors. Those dogs were healthy and happy in there fenced area and huge comfortble dog house.
Posted by Joe Cool at 2:17 AM
Why do people have a dog just to tie them outside? Would you tie up your child? Then again, they more then likely would if they could get away with it.And, it's not just a dog!
Posted by Dominick Fanelli at 12:12 AM
Katie B, you are sarcastic to the point of appearing stupid. Pets should be fenced in when outdoors and let indoors, not kept outdoors 24/7.
And no, I don't have children (replying to your other sarcastic post). LOL.
Posted by Pet Lover at 11:45 PM
Marsha- if you see a dog living that way now- it is ILLEGAL. It is already deemed abuse. So pick up the phone and make a call to a hotline. There are VERY responsible people who tether their dogs that don't fit your "villain" description- for instance ME. Obviously, by Pet Lover's response- fenced pets should be made illegal as well...hence "keep it indoors." We tried a fence, we tried a fence with an electric collar. Our dog is a herding dog & does not like to be confined. She has been on a tether for 4 hours from 7:00-11:00 a.m. (weather permitting)for 5 years without incident.
You're only causing more animals to be euthanized by taking away people's freedom to care for their animals the way they see fit. There are numerous laws on the books already- obviously they aren't being enforced if you're seeing so many abused animals. And if you're seeing so many abused animals- start taking some initiative and report those SPECIFIC pet owners. These proposed laws are just a lazy man's excuse to feel like he's accomplished something.
Posted by Katie B. at 6:43 PM
No matter who you are, I think we can all agree that Jojo was treated cruelly because he was injured, unable to move, and without food or water for four days. Instead of trying to figure out how and why this happened, the county commissioners attack the rescue groups and refuse to acknowledge wrong doing. It's so sad.
Posted by Mallory at 3:46 PM
Its typical that the Commissioner refused to even consider the allegations. It's also typical for some of the rednecks to always bring up the "crazy animal lover" excuse; ever consider people just get tired of others not doing whats right? Nothing Changes if NOTHING CHANGES!
Posted by Nothing Changes at 2:50 PM
Responsible pet ownership includes owning property with a fence. Let's not try to twist words in order to make the selfless people who work for the betterment of animals in Coweta county out to be the villians here. The villians are those who chain a dog up (Or 4 or 5 dogs) in the relentless heat, with no human interaction their entire lives, no vet care, and only occasional food and water. I believe if you have seen the horrific abuse these people have witnessed in Coweta County, you might change your sarcastic tune.
Posted by Marsha Blackmon at 2:04 PM
Pet Lover- so being part of your family means you lock your children inside & only allow them to go to the doctor and the park? Hmm, false imprisonment, that's a great family value. Do they have to wear bubble wrap to avoid scrapes and bruises? Thank you for displaying exactly the type of person that is trying to push these laws on the rest of us.
Posted by Katie B. at 12:52 PM
JOD: You are the dumb one. And I'm not a PETA wacko. That group is too wacko even for my standards.
Posted by Kitty Girl at 11:48 AM
Good grief... I see the Humane society, PETA wackos are out in full force. These are the same people that believe that animals should be given a right to a lawyer. Dumb.
Posted by JOD at 1:13 AM
Well, in light of the fact animal control let that poor
dog suffer last week- they have NO buisness
telling anyone that is trying to save animals how to do it. Clearly they need to clean up their own house before invading someone else's.
Posted by TC resident at 12:02 AM
I can't believe how many ignorant people live there, not only in Coweta County, but the entire South. If you have a dog, you keep in indoors...I don't care how big it is, it should be part of the family. Same for cats. I treat my pets better than most people treat their kids. You don't let them ride loose in a pick-up truck, you keep them at home, they don't need to go anyplace but a dog park or to the vet.
Rednecks!
Posted by Pet Lover at 11:32 PM
The ACO's will be inspecting rescues? Ha-ha! Coweta Animal Control can't even meet the correct standards - don't forget JoJo that nearly died under their so-called care.
Posted by DebbyM at 11:25 PM
The term “pit bull” is an unofficial breed group that usually encompasses between 4 and 10 individual, pure breeds of dog! Breed Stereotyping, like racial profiling, ignores the environmental factors that contribute to temperament and behavior. The genetic make-up of an individual dog, of any breed is only one of many components that may cause potential to be aggressive towards humans. Did you know that a Boston Terrier would be classified under the Pit Bull Group, yep that is correct they are in the same group as the American Pit Bull Terrier! The problem with any “dangerous” dog of any breed is likely a result of environment, nurture and careless ownership! An American Pit Bull Terrier is just like a gun, the end results are that of the person who owns the object not the object itself!
Posted by Jennifer at 7:38 PM
Kirk, thank you for your example. Here is a neighborhood w/ 9 dogs, that means 9 families will be fined, which will probably mean half of those homes will just say "forget it" and turn their dogs into the humane society to avoid fines. Hope the animal shelters are hiring because there is going to be an influx of dog euthanizing.
Or we could just use common sense- and if you see a dog, tethered or not, that is being abused- call someone. But I suppose its the "compassionate" thing to punish the many for the few.
Posted by Katie B. at 4:51 PM
Animal control seems to NOT be living up to their name these days! My experience was a guy coming to the door during the day after the dog barked constant all night. His response to our complaint was, "IF we went after every barking dog complaint, that's all we would do" This complaint is for the dog owner on Woodstream that leaves his dog out all night to bark when you seem to be away. There should be action against this by now. But I guess you figured out Animal control isn't going to do much.
Posted by Tired2 at 4:48 PM
I have about 28 houses in my neighborhood, and there is about 9 dogs here - none of them are teathered, and all are chained or leashed to fixed objects = none of my neighbors will be in compliance when the law is passed.
Posted by Kirk Wilson at 4:01 PM
Humane societies definitely need licensing ...as a matter of fact PETA and HSUS probably uthanize more cats and dogs than any other group in the world ....so much for recue ...Fido was rescued only to be put down. Those donations have to go in their legal funds to oppose hunting, fishing , trapping and our meat processing industry so they're not going to waste it on feeding rescued animals.
Posted by Twocrows at 3:46 PM
I disagree with the premise that tethering is cruel or some how hurts an animal. There are already laws in place to prevent cruelty. We do not need an ordinance that punishes those that use tethering in a responsible manner. Please, no new ordinance, but instead more enforcement of existing laws and ordinances.
Posted by JtS at 3:30 PM
My gosh this county is full of little tyrants. I guess one good thing that will come from municipalities being broke is that they can't afford to enforce all of these petty hitlerian laws.
People just won't adopt dogs anymore if you keep pushing new laws on them. In turn, more dogs will just be put to sleep.
More laws = more dead dogs.
Posted by Katie B. at 12:03 PM
Humane societies and rescue groups should not have to have a license. They are working with donations to save every animal they can from being killed and don't need extra expenses. Are the Commissioners trying to punish them for exposing the recent abuse at the shelter which was in the paper? Why, all of a sudden, are they going to have to have a license?
Posted by just my opinion at 4:01 AM
Humane societies and rescue groups are already licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and absolutely do NOT need to be inspected by an agency that has had more complaints on it than all rescue groups combined! What is the purpose of this? If there are problems with a licensed humane society or rescue group, then the appropirate agency to report it to is the GDA, certainly not animal control. Furthermore, humane societies and rescue groups are CHARITIES paying $400.00 for their GDA license and clearly do NOT need to be paying any more money for the privlege of volunteering their time and money to serve this county.
Posted by the big picture at 2:57 AM
Ken, your dog is only free and happy until he/she is thrown out of the bed of your truck because you hit a bad spot in the road or stopped too quickly, or are hit by another vehicle. If you really want a free happy dog put him/her in the cab with you...they'll love riding with there face out the window and be a lot safer.
Posted by SuzyQ at 1:27 AM
I hope the meeting is not innundated with dog freaks and they try and pork in higher millage rate and water department bonds.
Posted by ron at 12:38 AM
Last week the Times Herald ran a story about a poor dog with 4 broken legs and a broken jaw that laid on the floor of the Animal "Shelter" for 5 days, With NO vet care, and unable to eat or drink.
The County Commissioners did not like the facts getting out and they are now punishing the rescue that shared the story, Georgia Humane Society. CBS news also ran a story and the commissioners have received many calls about the lack of simple human compassion in a public shelter. They are upset with the rescue for telling the truth,instead of being upset with the Warden and the shelter employees for running the shelter so poorly.
If the Coweta Commissioners do not work make sure that shelter works with all legitimate rescues, MORE ANIMALS WILL DIE.
We commend the new proposal to stop tethering of animals. That is a good step for them to take. And we Respectfully ask for the voters of Coweta County to let your lawmakers know that this is not acceptable behavior in 2010. It never was, but to kill more animals as a form of revenge against the rescues is sickening. We implore them to help every animal have a chance to live with a loving family before they kill it. We beg you to make sure they do . We need your help. Call the commissioners.
Posted by willie wonka at 11:52 PM
I disagree with about the possibility of a law making it illegal to own pit bulls. Judge each individual (person or canine) on thier ACTIONS not thier race or breed.
Posted by Linda at 11:19 PM
Coweta desperately needs a dog park! Build it and they will come.
Posted by Newninja at 9:01 PM
What does it take to get action for an ongoing complaint of a dog barking constantly for hours? It occurs all hours but mostly through the night when no one in authority can be reached until the next day. We have signed complaints but mysteriously it stops for a short while then starts up again. This dog (owner) is offensive to 2 streets in an otherwise quiet neighborhood. PLEASE HELP US! Sleepless in Coweta
Posted by Vasseur at 5:18 PM
keep it going as long as you can
Posted by doug at 5:05 PM
I think the county should consider making it illegal to own pit bulls.
Posted by Joe at 3:02 PM
It's about time someone did something about people riding around with dogs in the bed of their pick up trucks.
Last year we witnessed a beautiful Golden Retriever be thrown from the pick up he/she was riding in. Thankfully he/she wasn't killed. Two days later we saw the same truck with the dog in the back again.
Don't tell me you 'love' your dog if you're willing to put them in such a high risk situation. If he/she can't ride in the cab with you then leave them at home.
Posted by SuzyQ at 2:52 PM
Whats the fine going to be for a free happy dog riding in the back of my truck?
Posted by Ken at 2:28 PM
Heck lets go ahead and give them them the right to vote.democrats has to be behind this crap. free living, eating. transportation,& medical.and we know it want stop there. Mr.councilman my i please name my dog rusty ? while he's still mine ? I hope no one finds out i only bath him twice a week. i'm sure thats a vilation, or will be "huh" ?
Posted by tim swofford at 2:25 PM
That maybe good for the city but there's no enforcement in the county. We are right on the back door of the city in Westgate and people are afraid to go in their yards at night because of the roving dogs. People will just turn more loose adding to the problem.
Posted by Wes at 11:15 AM
Most of these sound like positive steps toward making Coweta a more humane County, and I applaud your attemts! Be cautious with the breed-specific legislation, though; more people are bitten by small dogs than 'dangerous' dogs - people just don't report it as much. Try education, both for dogs and owners, and you'll solve more problems than you would banning certain dogs!
Posted by Jami at 10:55 AM
Maybe, the Commissioners should try doing something for residents, instead of to county residents. Maybe, they should be focused on county wide broadband service, instead of made up issues, important to only the loud few, which seems to drives the commissioner's meetings.
Posted by JtS at 10:51 AM
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How can you call yourself rescue!
8/30/2010
Link To This Comment
This is ugly! how can you yourself rescue people! what kind of life these animals live in the shelter.. I guess is all about money to work for the kennel but do you have a heart for these innocent animals.. If you was animal would you like to be treat the same.. Shame of you.. don't ever call yourself rescue people. be real and care about animals!
Posted by Maria at 10:47 PM