On Wednesday, September 27th, my sister called the Dalton Police Department reporting the presence of a large dog that stepped into our yard. Earlier in the week, one of our neighbors had a recording of this dog attacking and killing a cat on someone's property. Fearing the safety of my niece and nephew, my sister thought that by calling the police department, there would be action done to remove the dog from the neighborhood. Instead, two officers showed up at our house, stayed in their car for about 3 minutes, exchanged some words with each other, and left. They did not exit their vehicles to speak to my sister. They did not ask for a description of the dog. They did not offer my sister any information about what to do. They came and swiftly left, leaving the neighborhood unprotected.  

On September 30th, 2023, my beloved cat, Panda, was killed. She was sitting in our garden when she was attacked by this same dog. Her death was preventable and senseless. After the incident, we called Animal Control to report the attack and to get some action done to protect the neighborhood pets. Unfortunately, Animal Control sent a police officer who told us that there was little they could do. WE would have to catch the dog. WE would have to investigate who the possible owner was. We never saw Animal Control. She also mentioned that because of the possible inconvenience of capturing a stray dog that belongs to possible owners, they were unable to trap the dog. Despite the evidence we presented about this particular dog, she insisted that we needed to make sure that this was the same dog that attacked the previous cat. There was no assurance that anything would be done. This dog remains on the loose to this day. 

There have been numerous other reports from my neighborhood about this dog. However, the response from Animal Control/DPD has been the same. The South Drive area is a neighborhood that is filled with friendly dogs, cats, and numerous small children who play outside. With the looming threat of this dog, our neighborhood feels unsafe. Ultimately, the blame lies with the negligent owners of the dog who is roaming the streets freely. All I want is to change the code/rules that make DPD/Animal Control unable to assist in trapping dogs that pose a threat to small animals and children. I want answers as to why there has been no real assistance in capturing this dog. I want a better response from the departments in our community who aid in the handling of violent dogs. According to the ordinance (which I will cite below) animal control are able to seize animals “In response to a report of an animal being injured and in distress.” Why did they offer no support after these documented instances? I know I will never get Panda back, but I do not want another cat, or God forbid, a small child to suffer the same fate as my sweet girl. Because of the threat to small pets and children, the necessity for action is immediate. Please help us get the attention of Animal Control to make a change about their policies, and to hold them accountable for their inaction. I will post the Dalton City Code on dangerous animals below. Please, help us find a solution to this devastating issue. 

Copied from Chapter 14 of the Dalton Code of Ordinances:

Public nuisance means any animal that unreasonably annoys humans, endangers the life or health of other animals or persons or substantially interferes with the rights of citizens, other than its owner, to enjoyment of life or property. The term "public nuisance" means and includes but is not limited to any animal that:

(1)

Is found at large;

(2)

Damages, the property of anyone other than its owner;

(3)

Chases vehicles;

(4)

Attacks other domestic animals;

(5)

Unprovoked, attacks pedestrians or passersby; or

(6)

Has been found by the animal control officer to be a public nuisance animal by virtue of being a menace to the public health, welfare or safety.

Vaccination means a protection against rabies by inoculation with antirabies vaccine, given in an amount sufficient to provide immunity from rabies for a minimum of one year.

(Ord. of 2-1-1999(2), § 1(F)(5-20))

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

State Law reference— Dogs damaging livestock or poultry, O.C.G.A. § 4-8-4; nuisances, O.C.G.A. tit. 41; nuisances in cities, O.C.G.A. § 41-2-5.
Sec. 14-27. - Animal control officer.
 
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(a)

There is created the office of animal control officer, which officer shall enforce this article. The city may at any time and from time to time contract or enter into an agreement with the county or any other municipality, county or combination thereof for staffing the position of animal control officer.

(b)

The animal control officer is authorized to issue citations to persons violating this article for trial in the municipal court of the city upon such citations.

(c)

The animal control officer, as well as employees and agents of the animal control officer and persons under his control and supervision, are empowered to seize animals as required by this article so long as the animals are within the city. The employees and agents of the animal control officer and persons under his control and supervision shall have the right to go on private property within the city for the purposes of enforcing this article, provided it is necessary for such purpose. Further, the animal control officer may set and issue fines as provided in this article when the person chooses to waive his right to a hearing in municipal court. The animal control officer shall have the authority to issue citations and subpoenas to witnesses and to require their appearance in municipal court on any matter relating to the enforcement of any of the sections contained in this article.

(d)

The animal control officer may be contacted after normal business hours by digital beeper and shall respond in the following circumstances:

(1)

In response to a report of a person bitten within the last hour by an animal;

(2)

In response to a report of an animal being injured and in distress;

(3)

In response to a request of the city police department for assistance in restraining an animal which threatens the safety of law enforcement personnel or others;

(4)

To investigate charges of animal cruelty when such investigation cannot reasonably be postponed until normal office hours; and

(5)

In response to such other situations which, in the judgment and discretion of the animal control officer, require an immediate response in order to protect the public.