Issues with animals, and those who abandon them

Last week my office took an initial step to address a growing problem in Lawrence County. I met with representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, City of Lawrenceburg Animal Services and the County Commission to talk about the issue of abandoned dogs.

The problem typically gets worse in the summer, but becomes bigger overall every year. The Sheriff’s Department receives calls every day about dogs that residents find on creek banks, road sides, or their front porches.

There’s little advice they can offer those callers. We have no place to house unwanted dogs – we have one shelter that serves Lawrenceburg only, with a capacity for just 40 dogs.

Thankfully, some people who find abandoned dogs can take them in, or find someone else who will. But most of the time, these dogs are left to fend for themselves. The majority can’t, and live short, sad lives. A few can, and become vicious. All can cause serious health and safety issues for our residents.

It’s obvious that we have to address this problem in some way, because it’s only a matter of time before something serious happens. The numbers speak louder than words: based on an average of 3.5 dogs per household, there are 55,000 in Lawrence County – and those are the ones that belong to someone.

Lawrenceburg Animal Control Officer Rene Segraves believes it would take four full-time Animal Control Officers to cover Lawrence County, and a shelter with room for 100+. A program that offers residents free spay/neuter services would be one way to start, and would make a difference over time.

I am forming a committee to study our options and come up with recommendations. We will also be looking at new laws to hold people responsible when they abandon – or abuse - animals, or let the ones they own run loose. We’ll consider possible funding options, including dog license fees on those 55,000.

In the meantime, I ask you all to do your part to help. Please spay and neuter your animals, and consider helping out a neighbor who can’t afford it for their pets. Make an effort to find a home for any unwanted animal – Segraves has a 92% adoption rate at the Lawrenceburg Animal Shelter, so it can be done.

Finally, if you see someone dropping off an animal, get their tag number and report it to the Sheriff’s Department. They should pay the consequences, not the rest of us.