The Walker County Animal Shelter will be closed for at least 30 days after a litter of surrendered puppies tested positive for canine distemper virus.
Walker County animal welfare leaders are celebrating what they describe as a major step forward for animals in the community.
The Walker County Board of Commissioners has approved a new spay and neuter ordinance following nearly two years of meetings, revisions, and ongoing discussion.
According to the Walker County Animal Shelter, the ordinance is designed to help address pet overpopulation and encourage responsible pet ownership. The measure applies to pet owners who are found in violation of animal-related offenses, requiring them to have their pet spayed or neutered or pay a fee. That fee is expected to be finalized at an upcoming commissioners meeting.
The ordinance includes exemptions for hunting dogs, working dogs, livestock guardian animals, licensed breeders, and pets with medical exemptions certified by a licensed veterinarian.
Shelter officials say animal welfare efforts often face significant challenges, including overpopulation, hoarding cases, cruelty investigations, and limited resources. Despite those challenges, they say the new ordinance represents meaningful progress for the county.
The Walker County Animal Shelter will continue offering its spay and neuter voucher program and hopes to expand resources available to pet owners in the future.
Pet owners in Chattooga County will have an opportunity to protect their animals at no cost during an upcoming free vaccination and microchipping event.
The event is scheduled for Friday, May 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tractor Supply, located at 11788 Highway 27 in Summerville.
Organizers say the clinic will offer rabies vaccines for dogs and cats, DHPP vaccines for dogs, FVRCP vaccines for cats, and microchipping services.
The event is being held for dogs and cats belonging to Chattooga County residents and is sponsored by the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia in partnership with the Chattooga County Animal Shelter.
All dogs must be on a leash and all cats in a crate.
Officials say the event is a great opportunity for pet owners to ensure their animals are up to date on vaccinations and properly identified.
A dog bite incident reported in Summerville on March 26, 2026, led to a citation for the animal’s owner, identified as Mildred Crusoe, according to a Summerville Police Department incident report.
Police said the incident happened around 4:39 p.m. in the area of Seventh Street at Fairground Road, with the report listing the address as 166 Seventh Street in Summerville.
According to the officer’s narrative, a man told police he was riding his bike on the opposite side of Seventh Street when a large black dog ran after him and bit his right ankle. The officer reported seeing a tear in the man’s pants leg near the ankle, though the victim said the dog did not break the skin.
The victim told police he wanted to press charges. The responding officer also noted there had been prior issues involving a dog at that address and said a report would be filed along with a citation for the owner. The report states Crusoe was later issued a citation in connection with the incident.
Officials remind residents to ensure pets are properly restrained, tagged, and under control to prevent injuries and avoid citations.
The Trion Recreation Department is reminding residents that new requirements are now in place for those wishing to use Brinley’s Dog Park in Trion.