"A new Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals organization has formed in Hardin County.
"I believe there needs to be animal control in Hardin County," said Hardin Metro SPCA Inc. President Stanley Shaw.
Currently, the county has no organized animal control program. Previously, the county partnered with the city of Savannah to provide the service to county residents.
Disagreements regarding how much of the total cost each local government should carry prompted the county to effectively eliminate animal control services outside the city of Savannah.
The Hardin County Commission did budget $2,500 to dispatch "vicious" dogs, but according to county Budget Director Linda Franks, not a penny of that money has been spent more than 10 months into the fiscal year.
Officials for the fledgling effort say they hope to encourage the county commission to reinstitute animal control service for county residents.
"They promised this in the last election," said Shaw, who ran for county mayor. The city has "beared the brunt of this for years."
He said Hardin Metro SPCA does not intend to be "this self-appointed group to tell the county what to do. I want the county to have an opportunity to do what they’re going to do, and hopefully they’ll do a good job of it."
Savannah attorney Vance Dennis, a member of the organization’s board of directors and its legal counsel, said the message to be sent is, "We’re here to help."
Officers were elected at the April 2 organizational meeting held at Central Bank on Wayne Road.
Susan Brown, who has been active in animal protection issues for many years, was elected vice president. The treasurer is banker and former Savannah city commissioner Chris Jerrolds.
Brad Silliman, a former prison inmate counselor and past news reporter at The Courier, was elected secretary. Silliman was previously married to the late local prominent animal rights activist Patricia Tretheway.
Local veterinarian Don Edwards is also a member of the board.
The board named Ted Cook, who chartered the public benefit, nonprofit corporation, interim executive director."
Submitted for your consideration and comments.
Uncle Ted
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