Morgan County Animal Control is cracking down on animal neglect and abuse in the county by increasing its investigations into complaints and allegations.
L.C. Clinton, a Morgan County Animal Control officer, said the organization has seen an increase in animals seized or temporarily taken recently as they try to educate pet owners about responsible and safe animal care.
“It is becoming more public, these cases,” Clinton said. “We are trying to stand up and combat the issue.”
Several recent cases resulted in the seizure of animals — include one involving several dogs that allegedly were left alone in a home for several days and others involving arrests on charges relating to a pet owner’s failure to provide shelter.
Such cases are making headlines.
Some larger cases are even seeing protests asking for harsher sentences for those who abuse animals.
Morgan County Animal Control has been taking the complaints more seriously and taking the time to look into each one, Clinton said, noting that not every complaint results in a seizure of animals.
The first step is to investigate a complaint to see if it is valid. Minor complaints are addressed by talking to the owner, providing education and giving the owner a chance to correct the problem, Clinton said.
“We talk with you, advise you of the violations, city or state ordinance,” Clinton said. “If we get called again, if becomes a written warning.”
After a third call, an owner would receive a citation and would have to attend a court hearing, Clinton said. During that hearing, the pet owner would be given the chance to provide a defense while the animal control officer would present evidence of the violations, he said.
Animal Control never wants to take an animal away from its owner unless there is a danger to the animal, Clinton said.
“Unless there is an obvious, egregious offense, we don’t take like to seize animals immediately,” he said. “Say we found a deceased animal; we would take everything in immediately while we investigated. Luckily, I’ve never had that happen.”
Dangerous living conditions, mistreatment and obviously unhealthy animals are among details considered for immediate seizure, he said.
The goal is to work with the public to address any neglect concerns, Clinton said.
“If there is an issue, we can’t address it if we don’t know about it,” he said. “If anyone has questions or concerns, we want them to call. It doesn’t hurt to have us check something out.”
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Morgan County Animal Control cracking down on abuse - Jacksonville Journal-Courier
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