As the founder of a nonprofit animal rescue organization, I witness the lack of suitable regulations for managing stray or neglected animals daily. In our county, the living conditions for animals, domestic and stray alike, are deplorable. This cannot continue. There is no immediate response system for reporting animal neglect or abuse, neither is there anyone to call regarding aggressive animals roaming loose, or establishing leash and breeding laws. We currently have someone that only addresses an animal when a dog bites a human, or has potential rabies. We deserve more than this in Graham County and so does our animals.

Statistically, communities with full-time animal control officers show a significant decrease in cases of animal neglect and abuse. The National Animal Care & Control Association suggests that a well-implemented animal control program not only ensures animals' wellbeing but also safeguards communities from the many public safety issues related to uncontrolled and neglected animals.

Thus, this petition calls for our local commissioners to work with us on implementing some animal welfare regulations, and to employ a full-time animal control officer who is trained and skilled in animal welfare. They will be responsible for doing welfare checks on the animals, removing nuisance animals, establishing and enforcing leash laws in city limits, and assisting with animal hoarding seizing. This move will significantly better the lives of animals in our community and provide a more humane, safe, and responsible city for us all. Please sign this petition to help give our animals the safety and welfare they deserve.