Hart BOC to Hear Second Reading of Animal Control Ordinance Tonight

Hart County’s Board of Commissioners will hear the second reading of their new animal control ordinance tonight when they meet for their second session of the month.

At their regular meeting earlier this month, tempers flared when the issue of not including stray cats in the ordinance was raised.

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

“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 was late to this meeting because I got called from the Sheriff’s department to help catch cats. 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.”

In other business tonight, the board is expected to hear a presentation from Jim Owens, the County Recreation Director, on the state of the Recreation Department and the improvements he has made since taking the job two years ago.

The board is also expected to award the bids for Rec department team uniforms and for construction of the two new county fire stations.

Tonight’s meeting takes place at 5:30P at  the Hart County Commission office on Reed Creek Highway in Hartwell.