First Read of Hart County Animal Control Ordinance Causes Controversy

Hart County Commissioners have approved the first reading of a new animal control ordinance, but one commissioner threatened to vote against the ordinance after questions arose regarding the exclusion of cats.

At their regular meeting Tuesday night, the board reviewed the ordinance with the changes they requested at last month’s work session.

One area that was not resolved during the May work session was in the penalty section regarding who would set the fines for violating any part of the ordinance, the animal control officer or the magistrate judge.

Commissioner Joey Dorsey said Tuesday that should be decided before the first reading was approved.  Commissioner Dan Reyen had said he believes fines should be up to the Magistrate Judge.

County administrator Jon Caime said any violation would go to the Magistrate Court and commissioners agreed to leave it at that.

The new ordinance only addresses the problem of stray and abandoned dogs. During discussions, Hart County Humane Society president Donna Madkiff asked if and when cats would be included in the new ordinance.

“What assurance do we have that we’re going to get the cats?” Madkiff asked the board.

“Every four years you get to vote, you get to see who sits up here….that’s your assurance,” Commissioner Dan Reyen sniped.

“I’ve been out three times on a call from the Sheriff’s department, catching cats,” Madkiff said, ignoring Reyen’s remark.

Caime said, however, that Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland has requested the new ordinance address only the stray dog issue for now.

“There’s a belief that there’s enough of an issue with dogs that that’s a good place to start,” Caime said. “He (Sheriff) has concerns with other animals too, such as farm animals. He believes though that this is a good place to get started.”

“Cats and cows are two different areas,” Madkiff replied. “Cats can be dangerous if they’re sick. I got called from the Sheriff’s department. My understanding that cats would not be part of this conversation, but it would be involved with animal control.”

Commission chair Bill Myers noted stray cats are already being picked up and taken to the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, with whom the county contracts for animal intake services.

“Let us get this started,” he told Madkiff. “Then later we will incorporate cats into the ordinance, but we have to start somewhere.”

But during the public comment period when pressed again on the cat inclusion issue by a local citizen, an angry Reyen shouted he would put a stop to any further talk of an animal control ordinance and nothing would pass if the cat issue were raised again.

The board has two more readings before the new animal control ordinance becomes law.