DeKalb Dog/Cat Euthanization – Open Forum Tuesday in Decatur
October 1, 2007 | 2:14 pmRep. Stan Watson will hold an open forum Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m at Holy Trinity Church at 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave, regarding dog and cat euthanization in DeKalb county. According to Watson “More dogs and cats are killed in Atlanta shelters than in the entire country of Great Britain,”. That’s a pretty shocking statement and I would welcome any elaboration on it in the comments section.
Conditions at the DeKalb Animal Shelter have been in the media spotlight since last year when two dogs died in hot trucks that lacked air-conditioning. CEO Jones wants to acquire new vans and is still seeking money from the state legislature to build a entirely new shelter facility.
Let’s hope this issue continues to be covered. Not only does the county need a new facility, but we all need to take more responsibility for our pets. Listen to Bob Barker and don’t be a backyard breeder.
Yes, I will submit a comment. I have lived in this neighborhood for a long time. I have witnessed animals being neglected or mistreated or otherwise disrespected as living things for too long. The people who live behind me had a sweet loving dog that they never bathed and never took to a vet. In the end it had some horrible skin disease which lasted for years, an awful ear infection which oozed a sticky, nasty fluid, and the dog often cried and whimpered. I tried to make the people see that the animal needed medical care, and they ignored me. I called the animal shelter, and the lady I spoke with sounded compassionate but told me the alternative was for them to come out and take the dog. About the only option available, apparently, was euthanization. It tore me apart to know there was little I could do to help. Now, a similar situation has developed at a “neighbor’s” house. They have had a puppy of no more than 4 months ties out there. I went to talk to them about it, and the lady at the house became angry and refused to even give me a chance to speak. The dog has been tethered on a short lead, no more than 5 or 6 feet at all times of the night and day. I gave the woman a note, explaining that this was against Dekalb ordinance but was ignored. This morning the puppy escaped, and I believe that it was hit by a car or otherwise injured. The woman stood over the puppy and hit it with a leash or belt until her son came and took the dog inside. Why didn’t I call animal control? Because I was afraid the dog would be executed, because I was afraid of retaliation, and because I hoped against hope that the idiots would put up a fence. So yes, I want this whole killing of innocent animals to stop.
Linda-I’m quite sorry and horrified about about the condition and treatment of these poor dogs. Before we continue any other hypothetical discourse about euthanization in this thread, I ask that if anyone else has any tangible solutions for Linda, please post.
I’m looking into it on my end too.
Thank you, Decaturite.
I have just learned that the dog has been diagnosed with parvo, or so the owner just told me. She seemed most distressed by this and is trying to get the dog affordable treatment at this moment. I don’t know the story with what happened this morning, in regards to its escaping, but apparently it either came back or was ill and hiding. She came to our door in hopes that we could direct her to veterinary care. In light of this, I did not broach the whipping incident I witnessed this morning. She was already in tears and afraid that she would not be able to afford the treatments the dog needed. There does seem to be affection for the dog, which is her son’s dog. The son, too, was very upset.
That there are not more alternatives in terms of the Animal Shelter and the fate of animals that come into their hands is of great concern to me. It would wonderful to know that we could report animal neglect or abuse and be confident that the animals themselves will not pay the ultimate price.
Best regards to all and thanks.
[...] release the animal somewhere outside the city? I guess that costs to many tax payer dollars. DeKalb County sure loves to euthanize animals! As the 11 alive article points out that “for every documented coyote attack on a human [...]