City gets tough on roaming dog packs
By JACQUIE BRASHER

Swainsboro Police Chief Johnny Shuman and Swainsboro-Emanuel County Animal Shelter Director Betty Gambrell would like the dog owners of Swainsboro to know that the leash law in the city will now be strictly enforced. Violations of this law will result in a fine ranging between $50 and $250.

"We have a very big problem of groups of dogs turned loose at night and they roam neighborhoods," said Gambrell. "They are killing cats and overturning garbage cans. Unfortunately, we can't catch them (in cages) because they are well-fed. Plus, they roam at night." She said that owners of dogs who roam around town unfettered will be held responsible.

The animal shelter is currently overrun with unwanted dogs. Since January of this year, 426 of them have been euthanized; 38 dogs were brought to the shelter this month alone and the shelter has had 747 dogs collected to date. "That's an absurd number," said Chief Shuman. "Miss Betty and I are animal lovers but we also love our friends. However, you cannot have dogs that endanger other people on their property." Gambrell agreed and added, "If you love your animal, you want to keep them safe. Dogs running wild are not safe." Pet owners are also strongly urged to spay and neuter their pets.

Chief Shuman said the police department has been "stretching its budget" in the effort to "meet the ever-growing demand." He said the number of dogs being euthanized has risen dramatically over the years. "There are no easy, quick or cheap solutions," he said. "The animal shelter, its protocol, operating procedures and particularly its disposal of animals are set out by Georgia law. We are required to abide by such laws and are inspected by Georgia Department of Agriculture, who enquire into collection methods, keeping of animals, including spaying, neutering and euthanasia. All those suggestions of bullets and clubs are completely illegal for us to follow."

City of Swainsboro Code on Dogs

Sec. 4-30. Inoculation of dogs brought into city or born in city. All dogs brought into the city shall be inoculated with rabies vaccine for immunizing dogs against rabies and within 10 days from the date they are brought into the city, unless such dogs shall be less than 8 weeks old, in which they shall be inoculated when the become 8 weeks old. All dogs born in the city shall be inoculated as provided herein as they become 8 weeks old, and all dogs shall be inoculated annually thereafter as provided herein.

Sec. 4-40. It shall be the duty of the veterinarian inoculating a dog against rabies to issue to the owner or person responsible for such dog a metal tag showing that such dog has been inoculated as required herein.

Sec. 4-41. Tag to be attached to collar.

It shall be unlawful for any persons to own or keep any dog within the corporate limits of the city without having attached to its collar the metal tag provided for in this article and such collar must be attached to such dog.

Sec. 4-42. Restriction on dogs running at large; enclosures; leashes. It shall be unlawful for any dog to be on the streets, lanes, highways or roads of the city or loose on vacant lots or unenclosed lots so that the may freely have access to the streets, lanes, highways or roads of the city, unless such dog is held firmly on a leash held by a person.

Chief Shuman said he has encountered many a dog owner who refuses to believe that their dog can actually do any harm. He would like to remind dog owners that dogs are "pack animals" and when they get into pack situations, "they will hunt."

Any city resident who has problems with dogs roaming neighborhoods and causing damage may call the animal shelter at 237-4040.

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