Stronger Shelter Standards for Dogs Passed in Troup County
Many thanks to the Troup County Board of Commissioners (BOC) for passing an ordinance establishing some of the strongest shelter standards for dogs in the state of Georgia. These improvements help ensure that dogs kept outdoors receive adequate protection from extreme weather by clearly defining what constitutes appropriate shelter. The ordinance also strengthens requirements for access to clean water and adequate food, areas that were previously not clearly defined.
Special appreciation goes to Troup County Sheriff Keith Flory for introducing the amendments and presenting them in support at the BOC meeting.
Heartfelt gratitude is also due to volunteer advocate Evie Kettler, who has tirelessly championed animal welfare improvements in Troup County and LaGrange since 2016. Evie has shown that persistent, incremental progress can lead to meaningful change and have a lasting impact on a community!
Section 14-1 of Article I, Chapter 14, of the Troup County Code is hereby amended by the addition and appropriate alphabetical ordering of the following new definitions:
Adequate shelter means a protective covering for a domestic animal that provides adequate space and protection to maintain the animal in a state of good health, and that prevents pain, suffering, or significant risk to the animal’s health.
Adequate shelter shall consist of a completely enclosed structure with four (4) sides, a constructed floor, and a roof with a door opening. It should also be clean, dry and compatible with current weather conditions, in addition to age, size, species and condition of the animal.
The structure should be of sufficient size to allow the animal to stand, turn around, lie down and go in and out of the structure comfortably.
To be adequate, some type of bedding that is quick drying must be provided to maintain comfortable temperatures within the structure during the months of November through March. From April through November, the structure shall either be shaded or moved out of direct sunlight.
If the shelter is made of wood, it shall be raised at least two (2) inches off the ground to prevent seepage and rotting.
Examples of inadequate shelter include, but are not limited to, lean-tos, metal or plastic drums, boxes, abandoned vehicles, or material that does not provide sufficient protection from the elements.
Adequate food means sufficient quantity of noncontaminated and nutritionally healthy sustenance that is appropriate to the species, breed, size, age, and health of the animal, or at the direction of a licensed veterinarian, which is sufficient to prevent starvation, malnutrition, or risk to the animal’s health. Garbage, spoiled, rancid, or contaminated food is not adequate food.
Adequate water means clear, potable water in adequate supply to prevent dehydration or significant risk to the animal’s health. Examples of inadequate water include but are not limited to: snow, ice, and contaminated water.
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