MoCo Citizens Share Concerns About Stray Animal Issue

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Two Montgomery County citizens addressed the Montgomery County Commission at its July 17 session about public safety officials’ apparent lack of knowledge on laws protecting animals.

Lucky Dog Rescue Ranch Owner and former Diamonds in the Ruff Affiliate Julie Driscoll, and Tarrytown citizen Glenda Moore informed the Commission of the need for area training on laws regarding animals.

“As you all know, we have a major problem in this area with strays and feral animals,” Driscoll began. “Those animals that are full of parasites and everything else, and they are going to make us sick. It’s a big problem.”

Driscoll went on to discuss a recent situation in which a mother dog and several 3-week-old puppies were abandoned at a shelter because the owners only wanted to keep one puppy out of the litter. She questioned the commissioners and audience, including Montgomery County Chief Deputy Ron Bivins, on the laws regarding this incident, but no one admitted to knowing about animal protection laws. “This is why we need training for these incidents. We need to educate the public, and we need to educate law enforcement on what the laws are regarding animal abuse, cruelty, and neglect,” she emphasized.

“The law states that they (the person who surrendered the dogs) could not keep only one puppy; it would have to be released with the mother if the puppies are 8 weeks old or younger. These are the kinds of things that are done, and I know that means nothing to the majority of you, but those of us it matters to — that feel that these are God’s creatures —we need to do something about this. It’s horrific.”

Driscoll shared that she had also experienced similar lack of knowledge of the law when she asked for law enforcement’s help to free animals abandoned on chains in yards. “I get told things, such as, ‘That’s not my job,’ from several counties’ law enforcement officers when I ask for help,” Driscoll told the Commissioners. “But this is something under their jurisdiction.”

According to Driscoll, the Lucky Dog Rescue Ranch has garnered a tremendous amount of public support. “So far, the consensus has been to work to inform law enforcement of these animal laws,” she explained. Driscoll offered to provide an individual to train both law enforcement officers and any other county officials who wished to learn about the laws free of charge. She even informed the Commission that these training hours could count towards the deputies’ required training hours each year.

The Commissioners thanked Driscoll and Moore for sharing their concerns, and advised them to speak with Sheriff Doug Maybin to see about setting up a possible training day for deputies. LMIG, TIA and Board Post In addition to this discussion, Commissioners also approved the grant authorization for the Transportation Investment Act local project that will fund the resurfacing of Sawmill Road. The Commission also agreed to proceed with an application for Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG) funding to resurface a portion of Petross Road and patching several areas on Braddy Road. This funding requires a 10% local match, and will total $423,087.

The Commissioners also approved proceeding with advertising to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery County Board of Elections and Registration. This seat was vacated when board member Erica Russell passed away last month. She was serving a two-year term on the Board that was set to end on January 1, 2025.

Applicants for this position should be a registered voter and resident of the county, and they or their immediate family member cannot serve in an elected office. Applications for this position are available online at the County’s website, or can be picked up at the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners office. All applications are due on Friday, August 25, by 4:30 p.m.

NEED FOR EDUCATION – Julie Driscoll (right) and Glenda Moore (left) stressed to the Montgomery County Commission the need for public and law enforcement education on Georgia laws regarding animal abuse, abandonment, and cruelty.Photo by Makaylee Randolph