Burke County's animal ordinance has no provision for animals that are deemed aggressive. Dogs and cats that are shy, scared, and reacting to an unfamiliar and intimidating environment are being deemed aggressive and euthanized rather than being released to an approved rescue. At this time, the animal control officer in charge of the county shelter can deem dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens unadoptable, for any reason, and can then euthanize the animals. These dogs and cats have no options.
In an effort to save the lives of more animals in Burke County, we ask that Charlie's Law be put into place as an ammendment to the Burke County animal ordnance. Charlie's Law states that an animal that has been deemed unadoptable can be released to a approved rescue, or can be given a professional unbiased evualation outside of the animal control environment, prior to being euthanized. The cost of this evualation will be paid for by the rescue that wants to pull the animal, and a release liability will be signed by the rescue.
Following are just a few stories of the many animals that have been deemed unadoptable or aggressive by animal control.
Charlie was a shy, scared Chihuahua that several rescues tried to pull and/or adopt. The rescues were all refused. A flood of phone calls and e-mails were made to the sherriff's department and county commissioners, but, in the end, the rescues were told that the county was going to stand by the officer's decision. Charlie was killed at animal control.
Mabel, a 14 yr old cat, suffered the same fate. She had a rescue and a permanent home waiting to take her in. She was deemed unadoptable and euthanized.
Lincoln was signed over to a rescue and made it into the parking lot before an officer stated that he felt like Lincoln "might bite" and took him back inside. By signing to pull Lincoln, the rescue had assumed all responsibility for him and had relieved the county of any liability. However, he was also killed at animal control.
We are asking for your support for Charlie's law. Please sign this petition and show your support for a change in Burke Co. Thank you, Burke County Animal Welfare Alliance.
