County law office has resumed cost-of-care filings; committee backs coordinator post for court-held dogs

The committee reviewed a resolution reaffirming DeKalb County's authority to seek recovery for impoundment and care costs for court-held animals and to establish a court-held dog coordinator position.

Interim County Attorney told the committee the law department had already resumed handling these cases and that the office had assigned an attorney and public-safety team to support filings. On shelter statistics, the interim attorney said, "I pulled some numbers yesterday... there are 1,222 dogs at our shelter, 73 of them have court cases." He described the proposed coordinator as a paralegal-level position that would compile case status reports, facilitate communication, and help generate monthly reports the law office needs for efficient case management.

Commissioner Long Spears and others framed the matter as both a financial and animal-welfare concern, noting daily care costs (staff estimated roughly $38 per dog per day) and the animal-health consequences of long stays. Legal staff said motions to dispose (to obtain court permission when an owner does not appear) and cost-of-care petitions are distinct processes and that staff will draft substitute language for the resolution.

The committee voted to defer the item to the Feb. 26 Board of Commissioners meeting, with a prior stop in operations so staff can refine the proposal and ensure the coordinator role and funding align with midyear budget language already passed.