HOW ELECTED OFFICIALS CAN HELP DEKALB ANIMALS
DeKalb Executive Branch
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Can do the most for animals - most important decision-maker
Decides how county budget gets used for animal services (e.g., shelter and enforcement staff)
Hires and oversees key people to protect animals from abusers (COO, County Attorney, Public Safety Director, etc.)
DeKalb Legislative Branch
7 DISTRICT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Create and decide laws for animals (e.g., spay and neuter, breeding laws, etc.)
Have budget influence for animals (e.g., funding for shelter and enforcement)
Can create the DeKalb Office of Animal Advocacy to help protect abused, neglected, and homeless animals
DeKalb Judicial Branch
JUDGES AND PROSECUTORS
Prosecutors, the District Attorney and Solicitor General, decide if and how to charge people accused of harming animals
Magistrate Court Judges conduct hearings and trials related to animal abuse and neglect
Oversees all county animal court cases