Be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves!  Nitro, in photo, chained for 8 years!  In Burke County, Georgia, animal cruelty laws and ordinances are not upheld to the fullest extent of the law.There are existing animal cruelty laws already in place in the state of Georgia which outline the punishment of an individual if cruelty, willful neglect, and abuse of an animal occurs.  However, residents of this county have been observed and photographed chaining animals outside in unfit conditions without access to adequate & appropriate shelter, food, water, or basic care. After being reported to the Sheriff's Department via the dispatch or calls to the Sheriff's Office directly by concerned citizens, these cases have not been and currently are not investigated in a timely fashion, reporting citizens' requests and reports are ignored,  and perpetrators are not punished in accordance with Georgia animal abuse laws (https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ga-cruelty-cruelty-animals#s16_12_4 and many are allowed to continue their poor treatment of animals. 

There is no animal control entity or humane society in place in this county. We as concerned citizens demand that the Burke County Sheriff's Department, under the leadership of Gregory Coursey, thoroughly investigate in a timely manner these situations which are reported by concerned citizens and, when wrongdoing is found (lack of adequate shelter, lack of food/water, lack of care) in accordance with Georgia's established law, that the perpetrators are punished in accordance with the law as a misdemeanor or as a felony (as described at the Animal Law link above).  Citizens of this county are dutifully reporting the obvious neglect of animals in these situations and it is therefore the sworn duty of the Sheriff's Department of Burke County to ensure the safety of, and follow established protocols of law to protect, the animals therein. This is not happening and we, as a group of concerned citizens, demand that those who break this law are investigated, prosecuted, and held accountable to the fullest extent WHILE at the same time ensuring the safety of animals in this position by working with local licensed rescue groups who serve the area to remove animals from such situations and/or  educate the owners on humane treatment of animals found to be in these situations.  

Neglect and abuse will CONTINUE in this county until the existing laws which were written to protect animals are enforced as they should be in accordance with state code. We need your help to make this happen! 

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