TN: New Animal Control Clears Final Hurdle

New Animal Control Clears Final Hurdle
Engineering study to begin soon
By Sherry Mitchell/ The News Examiner/ December 25, 2009

Sumner County Commissioners voted 16-7 on Monday, Dec. 21 to allocate up to $1.2 million plus an additional 5 percent for architectural engineering costs for a new animal control facility, slated to begin construction in early 2010.

“We cannot keep euthanizing (animals) and expect the problem to go away,” said Sheriff Bob Barker, whose office oversees the agency, prior to the vote. “The reason that we are where we are at now, for 30 years we’ve neglected to take care of the problem. I am asking that this be approved so that we can move forward with this.”

Presently, the county’s animal control operations are housed in a 30-year-old makeshift shed.

Proponents of the new facility see its construction as a continuation of improvements that have been made in the county’s animal control operations. Following a November 2008 takeover by Barker’s department, the number of adoptions has increased, and now a new facility, tentatively set to be more than 8,000 square feet, will allow more room for animals. It will also provide a low-cost spay/neuter facility and special facilities for livestock and equine.

Mindful that the new facility will be placed on county-owned property near the old Union School, Barker said he has sought a consensus of approval from local officials.

“I have spoken with the mayor’s office and every city councilman and no one has voiced opposition to a new animal control,” he said.

Candidate opposes new shelter

Several citizens had spoken in opposition of the project, including school board member Ben Harris, who in 2010 will run for a 5th District seat on the county commission.

“I’ve always had pets – I’m an animal lover,” Harris said. “I know we really need this dog pound, but the budget is going to be a lot worse next year.”

Barker said he appreciated input from residents, but he was quick to point out that the county animal control division is much more than a dog pound.

“My office is responsible for animal abuse calls, animal neglect, attacks and the enforcement of our wildlife laws,” Barker said. “We just rescued (108) dogs from a large puppy mill in Portland, and we recently (raided) one of the largest cockfighting rings in Tennessee, where children were not only present, but were encouraged to participate.”

Barker said in the past month alone, the agency has taken on an average of 10 animals a day.

Source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091225/GALLATIN01/91224023/2138/New+animal+control+clears+final+hurdle