Etowah County – Press Release February 25, 2008

 

Etowah County would like to take this opportunity to make two statements regarding the contract termination with the Etowah County Humane Society.

 

As reported, the County Commission took the necessary steps to legally terminate our contract with the Humane Society.  The Commission undertook this action to protect the interests of the citizens of Etowah County and the animals entrusted to us by law.  We fully stand by our decision and are well prepared to defend this decision on all counts.  The County Commission made a commitment early last year to build and operate its own shelter facility on property donated to Etowah County by the State of Alabama.  In the negotiations with the State, the county fully outlined its plan to construct the animal control facility at that time.  This plan was presented to the Department of Transportation and we reached an agreement to acquire the property for this public use and good.  In a meeting with the Humane Society Board of Directors in July of last year, they were made aware of the County’s intentions.    The County realized at that time that the operation of an animal control facility is best performed by the entity mandated by legislation to do so.  Of the six governmental entities mandated to provide shelter services in Etowah County, only two are currently contracting shelter services utilizing the Humane Society.  Several counties throughout the state are currently operating and directing their own facilities, with more planning to do so in the near future.  The County fully expects to operate the new facility with enhanced services to the citizens of Etowah County and at a lower cost to the taxpayers than contracting for services.

 

Etowah County entered into the current contract with the Humane Society for a period of three years. It was our intention to utilize that time frame for the construction of our own facility; however, because of the circumstances concerning the performance of the contract and the alarmingly high euthanization rate of our animals, we had no choice but to terminate the agreement based on the terms provided in the contract.  As an interim measure we have contracted with Calhoun County to shelter the Etowah County’s animals impounded for the violation of the rabies law as it applies to the unincorporated areas of the County.  The temporary arrangement with Calhoun County will only be necessary until our facility is completed.  We estimate that our facility will be fully operational within six months from start of construction.

 

Now we would like to take this opportunity to present the following procedures and protocol as they apply to the Etowah County’s responsibility for animal control.

 

Etowah County’s legal responsibly regarding animal control consists of the following items in the unincorporated areas of Etowah County and all town or municipalities less than 5,000 in population:

 

1.         The provision of a facility for the impoundment of animals found running at large without proof of rabies vaccinations and the providing of an impound officer.

 

An “at large” animal means an animal not on the owner’s property and not under the direct control of its owner.

 

The County would like for all citizens to call the County’s Animal Control Officer concerning stray animals.  Citizens should not attempt to capture or collect these animals themselves.  The Animal Control Officer is trained and equipped to safely capture and transport all animals, and citizens should not expose themselves to potential risk. 

 

 

Once captured, the animals will be transported to the Calhoun County facility where they will be under the control of Etowah County’s Impound Officer for seven days.  The animal will NOT be available for adoption nor will it be euthanized during that seven-day period.

 

All attempts will be made to identify and notify owners of impounded animals.  Etowah County will post pictures of impounded animals on their web site within that seven-day period. That web site address is www.etowahcounty.org

 

2.         Missing Animals:  Should citizens need to inquire about missing animals, call the Animal Control Officer to inquire about your animal.  There is no need to travel to the Calhoun County facility, as our Animal Control Officer has full access to all impounded animals. Should your animal have been impounded, we will make the necessary arrangement to reunite you with your animal after payment of all legal costs. 

 

3.         Animal Cruelty: The Etowah County’s Animal Control Officer has no legal authority regarding animal cruelty.  We will investigate and should it be necessary, we will report cases to the proper law enforcement personnel for further action.

 

4.         Wild Animals/Wildlife/Varmints:  Etowah County has no legal jurisdiction over wild animals, wildlife or varmints.  Again, we will be glad to assist the citizens in directing them to the proper authorities. 

 

5.         Animal Bites:  The Animal Control Officer will investigate potential animal bites. Please note that ALL bites should be reported to the Etowah County Health Department.  By law, an animal bite is not considered a confirmed bite until it is certified by a physician.  If the suspected animal is found running at large without proof of current rabies vaccination, whether it is owned or not, it will be impounded.  If the animal bite is confirmed by a physician and the owner is not known, the impounded animal will be quarantined at the Calhoun County facility.   Should the owner be known, then it will be the owner’s responsibility to make quarantine arrangements under the provisions of the law.  

 

6.         Owner-surrendered Animals.  Although Etowah County has no legal responsibility for owner-surrendered animals, we will gladly assist the County’s residents with their animals.  Please contact the Animal Control Officer with your needs.

 

7.         Adoption:  Etowah County will strive to make all eligible animals available for adoption.  The Calhoun County facility has an exceptional adoption ratio and we will be assisting them in making animals available for adoption in Etowah County through several venues.

 

Animal Control Officer:

Telephone Numbers:

Toll free – 1-866-588-6820

Direct Number 549-8146

 

We appreciate the citizens’ concerns in this matter and we are looking forward to serving both the citizens and the animals of Etowah County. As we move forward in our efforts to better serve the citizens of Etowah County, let’s not lose focus of the two main efforts of an animal control program: first, to serve the Taxpayers of the County with the best service available and second but not least, the welfare of the animals involved in the process.    We strongly feel that given the number of animals euthanized in Etowah County, another shelter can only improve the placement of abandoned and neglected animals in the best possible environment with caring owners in loving homes.