Hart Co. To Add Another Animal Control Officer Part-Time

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia

The problem of stray and wandering dogs in Hart County is growing and officials are working to try to do something about it.

Hart County Commissioners earlier this month agreed to expand the Sheriff’s department budget to help pay for another part-time animal control officer to help with the problem.

In making the request to the Board this month, Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland said his current animal control officer is becoming overwhelmed.

Cleveland asked the board to hire an additional part-time officer at a minimal cost to Hart County.

“It seems like every weekend for the past six or eight weeks, we’ve been eat up with dog calls. Some of them try to handle it themselves, and get eat up by these dogs. So we just need some more coverage. The lady that’s doing it now is very limited in what hours she can work. So what we are asking for is an additional 10 hours to go with that and let those two folks share the 40 hours” said Cleveland.

Hart County Commissioner Joey Dorsey motioned to approve Cleveland’s request, which he said was well worth the cost.

“I make a motion that we approve it and also that they need to hire two or three more part time officers what ever the case may be. The same cost but if he wanted to ad extra part time help to help cover that, that’s part of my motion.” said Commissioner Dorsey.

After hearing from Cleveland, the Hart County Commission voted unanimously to approve the request.

However, Cleveland said that it is not just stray dogs that are a problem.

He said dogs that are known to have owners are also wandering the county and in some cases have become a threat to citizens.

According to Cleveland, in one such recent case, a homeowner recently tried to shoo a dog off his property and was bitten on the hand.

Cleveland said that dog belonged to someone in the neighborhood.

“It seems like every weekend, and as a matter of fact as we speak right now, the deputies are out on a dog call right now. More and more dog calls, dogs in general. The one that tore this man’s hand up, the owner finally stepped forward, so it wasn’t a stray dog.” said Sheriff Cleveland.

Under the plan, the extra part-time animal control officer in Hart County will work nights and weekends.