Blount Co. Animal Control says new pet protection laws are necessary but painful
Several recent hoarding cases are pushing animal control in Blount County to a breaking point. They've taken in 125 animals in just the last two weeks, and their facility just can't house them all. The Animal Adoption Center of Blount County is full.
Director Karen Startley said, 鈥淲e have a small kennel. We can't move 'em fast enough. We can't rescue them or adopt them fast enough.鈥�
Startley has been the director for 10 years. Like most in this field, she does it because she loves the animals. And that's one of the reasons this job is so tough.
> > RELATED COVERAGE: Pet hoarding situations putting strain on animal shelters
She said, 鈥淚'm not used to euthanizing. We are a euthanasia facility, but I鈥檝e probably euthanized more in the past week or two than I have in probably two months, and that's stressful for me and my rescue network.鈥�
In the most recent hoarding case, they took in about 50 dogs, and a rescue group has agreed to take them all. In the second case, they expect the total to be about 30 animals. Startley said the county's new ordinance that cracks down on pets roaming at large is the reason.
She added, 鈥淚n the past, we would be called out, and it would be hard to pick up a dog because we didn't have roaming at large. But now we have grounds to help the residents who are living in these overpopulated areas.鈥�
State lawmakers are considering a that would make it illegal to abandon an animal and that would make tethering a pet illegal. Like many animal advocates, the workers and volunteers here support state and local laws that aim to protect pets. But enforcing those laws, especially at first, can be painful.
Startley said, 鈥淚 believe that with any legislation that passed, animals are going to die. But we have to move forward. We have to start cleaning up our mess.鈥�