Monday, October 9, 2023–10:20 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Floyd County Commission will conduct a public hearing and vote on a proposed new animal control ordinance when they meet Tuesday.
The ordinance is in response to an explosion in the stray animal population and will encompass spay-neuter and micro-chipping, according to Floyd County Public Animal Welfare Services Director Katy Walters.
“The requirements of this ordinance will be for all dogs, ages six months and older, to be spayed or neutered and micro-chipped at the same time,” she said. “Then we are asking the same for cats at four months of age. The reason for the age difference is that cats mature sexually earlier than dogs.”
There would be several exceptions, such as if the animal is not medically sound or is a working animal, such as police canines or hunting dogs. Licensed breeders would also be exempt. Walters said as the ordinance is implemented, there would be a six-month education period. Violations of the ordinance, if implemented, could result in citations and fines.
“Animal control is not going to be actively searching for unaltered pets,” Walters said. “It will come as a secondary to a call-out we already have in the area. So, if we receive a call for service regarding an animal in that area, we will check its status.”
Tuesday’s County Commission caucus will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will be followed by the board meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the Floyd County Administration Building on East 4th Avenue.
You can view the entire agenda here.