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Residents urge independent review of animal control after reports of sick dogs and poor responsiveness
Summary
Multiple residents testified at the Nov. 17 Spalding County meeting about alleged shelter lapses, unreturned calls and an investigation into unauthorized trapping; they asked the board to commission an independent review of intake, accessibility and staffing at the county shelter.
Several county residents used the citizen-comment period at the Nov. 17 Spalding County Board of Commissioners meeting to raise concerns about animal-control operations and to ask the board for an independent review.
Laurie Todd, who identified herself as founder and director of Walking Home Together (an animal-welfare society in Conyers), said she visited the shelter recently and found a very sick puppy in general population. "This dog was obviously sick, and I was perplexed," Todd said, and described asking shelter staff for fluids and a mop while the dog vomited in the lobby; she later took the animal to a veterinarian, paid more than $400 for treatment and said the dog died three days later. Todd said she has veterinary records and a pull sheet she would provide to the county and asked the board to examine intake and treatment protocols and staff training for subcutaneous fluid administration.
William Burelli told commissioners that neighbors have seen growing numbers of roaming dogs and that repeated calls and emails to animal control sometimes go unanswered. He urged the board to "launch an independent review of animal control operations and capacity," specifically recommending a transparent review of staffing, intake procedures and how shelter space is prioritized when the facility is full.
Michael Renoux said his partner prompted a formal complaint and that the Georgia Department of Agriculture investigated a rescue organization for unauthorized trapping and issued a violation and warning letter; he said FDA was notified in that case. Renoux provided intake statistics (2019–2025 averages) and called for review of intake processes and recordkeeping.
Board members did not take action during citizen comment but commissioners and staff acknowledged the concerns and indicated staff would follow up. The public speakers asked for improved accessibility (keeping posted hours and ensuring staff are available), clearer online and phone information for surrender and adoption procedures, an emergency capacity plan and stronger partnership with regional rescues to address overflow.
Next steps: residents requested a transparent investigation; commissioners asked staff to follow up and offered county contacts for the commenters to provide documentation.
