The city has posted “Warning” signs at area dog parks, stating that dogs in the City of Decatur have been diagnosed with canine influenza and that  “area veterinarians recommend that pet owners avoid dog parks until” the current outbreak of canine influenza subsides.

Chris sent in this photo of the note on the sign of the Glenlake Park dog park yesterday.

Atlanta area pet care facilities and parks have been struggling with the canine influenza for a couple of months now, since the first case was reported back in May.

Check out WSB’s helpful “10 things pet owners need to know” about canine influenza more details on this outbreak along with treatment options.

DM has learned that the Decatur City Commission will take up a vote at its next meeting on Monday, January 20th to allow residents to keep up to two pygmy goats and/or pot-bellied pigs on their property inside the city limits.

Decatur’s animal ordinance has long been unclear when it comes to these animals that straddle the line between pets and livestock.  (Allison wrote a great piece here on the issue back in 2011.)

Decatur Planning Director Amanda Thompson explains that the clarity and change to the animal ordinance was developed during the just-completed, very involved Unified Development Ordinance process, but because it isn’t a “development” issue, it will be voted on separately at the January 20th Commission meeting.

We should receive a copy of the actual ordinance tomorrow, which will detail weight limits and other details.  Stay tuned.

Goat photo courtesy of picbot via Flickr, Pig photo courtesy of daniel_sh via Flickr

Decatur BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass Festival, Decatur GA (pic submitted by Pat via Twitter)

Curbed recently posted a list of Atlanta’s Top 10 dog parks, with Piedmont taking the top spot.  Close-proximity-to-Decatur options Oakhurst, Adair and Mason Mill all make appearances.

Where are your favorite Atlanta metro dog parks?

Piedmont Dog Park pic courtesy of thinkingjosh via Flickr

Ryan writes in with this report…

Thought I would send this bit of news along. I noticed a “Now Open” sign in front of the Corrina’s Corner pet store on West College and Mead. I popped in to check it out. It apparently opened today and the yoga studio next door is now open, too. This is the same yoga studio that was behind Avellinos.

Anyway, read on here that Corrina’s Corner would be a fresh dog food deli. There was a freezer with a lot of raw and cooked fresh dog and cat food. One product that sounded intriguing were these little plastic condiment containers of raw mix to pour on top of dry pet food. But I also noticed a rawhide bar with things like pig ears, bully sticks, bones, rawhides, etc. There were other types of dry dog food that I hadn’t seen before, but they were not traditional big bags of food. Lots of treats and health supplements. There were big 30-40lb bags of organic chicken feed for the backyard chicken people in the neighborhood. Leashes, collars, toys, etc. He had cat litter, catnip, cat toys. Lots of animal shampoos and grooming supplies. And in the back there was a self-service dog wash.

Worth checking out. My dog will like the rawhide bar and we might test the raw food supplement. And I have a couple neighbors and friends that will like the chicken feed!

http://www.corrinascorner.com/

Randy wrote in with this report last night…

Someone has set a leg hold trap of the type used to trap coyotes on the CSX rail line right of way between the Durand Mill and Westchester neighborhoods. My wife was walking our dogs down the right of way this afternoon–as many in the neighborhood do–and our dog got her leg caught one of these traps. My wife managed to get our dog’s leg out of the trap, but sustained a fractured wrist in the process.

It might be worth posting a note to let people in the Chelsea Heights and Westchester neighborhoods know that someone is setting leg hold traps along this right of way. LOTS of folks around here walk their dogs down that right of way.

Julie writes in…

Almost two weeks ago, a pit/lab mix puppy was tied to a tree with a cable cord and rope to a tree in Winnona Park, and left in the middle of the night. The neighborhood prevented him from being picked up by Animal Control, because he would certainly be euthanized. We have been taking care of the pup, who is really sweet and loving, but can no longer foster him because our sweet family cat will not return home with him here. I really need help finding this pup a foster or permanent home. With the help of neighbors and AUDI organization, I have been able to get him fully vetted and neutered. Please Help by getting the word out about this pup!! He has scars on his leg from most likely being hit by a car, according to the vet, and is in need of lots of love. I don’t know his history, but I would guess he was neglected. Considering all he’s probably been through, I am surprised by how loving he is.