A Summerville City Councilman is asking people to report mistreatment of animals during the bitterly cold weather that we are experiencing in Northwest Georgia.

Councilman Joe Money posted on his personal social media page, “It’s getting ready to be brutally cold. If you see a dog without proper shelter or tethered to a stationary object please report this. We have laws for their protection within the city limits of Summerville.”

It is illegal to tether a dog to a stationary object inside the city limits.  Also, animals must be provided adequate shelter from the elements.  The ordinance was adopted in 2019.

According to Animal Advocates of Chattooga County at the time of the adoption of the ordinance, “The new provision is intended to prevent domestic animals from being left alone and tied and/or chained in a yard. It is also to protect the safety and improve the welfare of the animal”.

There are stiff penalties for those proven to be in violation of the ordinance. According to the Summerville ordinance, “Citations and fines of up to $1000.00 could be levied against owners/keepers who violate the ordinance”.