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Dog-tying issue back before board
Residents will get say at hearing
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Forsyth County News
The Forsyth County commission has asked for community input as it weighs whether to change an animal control ordinance dealing with chaining, or tethering, dogs.

Residents may share their concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting, which is set for 5 p.m. May 7 at the county administration building in downtown Cumming.

Possible changes could include specifications on chaining dogs and adequate amounts of food, water, shelter and space for animals.

Commissioner Jim Harrell said he plans to keep an open ear.

“I’m interested in hearing what folks have to say about it,” Harrell said. “I think commissioners will listen to what everybody has to say, ponder those things and hopefully come up with something that will help animals, but not be too intrusive.”

Commissioner Brian Tam said the ordinance is “fine the way it is.”

“I don’t think this is what we should be focusing on right now,” Tam said.

He said some of the proposed changes are “not necessary, and I think they’re difficult to enforce.”

Enforcement would be primarily complaint-based, according to County Attorney Ken Jarrard. Complaints would go to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s animal control unit.

This isn’t the first time the county has looked at the issue. Commissioners postponed the matter in October 2007.

Fulton County adopted a similar anti-tethering ordinance March 4, joining Cobb, Cherokee and DeKalb counties, as well as the city of Gainesville, with similar measures.

E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.