"I believe that our community has an obligation to care for all of its residents, including our four-legged friends! I look forward to a greater understanding surrounding the needs for an improved animal shelter that will better serve all of our county residents. To that end, I believe it's necessary to partner with experts to determine costs and ability for an expansion. To ensure that our expanded animal shelter sustainable and compassionate animal welfare system that is effective, efficient, and best serves the needs of our community, I believe it is necessary to actively seek input from various stakeholders, including Animal Services staff and volunteers, the DeKalb Animal Advisory Board, and members of the general public is invaluable in guiding our planning efforts and ensuring that the new facility meets the evolving needs of our animals and community. To address overcrowding in our animal shelters, I also believe there should be county supported strategies. Some of my suggested strategies include: Increased Adoption and Foster Care Opportunities: Implementing aggressive adoption and foster care campaigns to find loving homes for as many animals as possible. Community Outreach: Aggressively educating the community about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering. Capacity Planning: Conducting regular assessments of shelter capacity and adjusting intake policies accordingly to prevent overcrowding. It is likely that current allocations of $7.5 mil won't likely be enough to address the future needs of the county’s animal residents. With the two years left in the term, I am committed to working with the county CEO and my colleagues to determine other funding sources that would hopefully close the overcrowding and financial gaps. I am highly committed to advocating for the necessary resources to ensure that our shelter can accommodate the needs of our growing population, both now and in the future."
"As both an attorney and future commissioner–I am deeply committed to strengthening local ordinances that address the lack of control measures in our county. I support implementing stricter regulations regarding pet ownership, including mandatory spay and neuter programs, responsible breeding practices, punishment for hoarding or animal fighting. With greater consequences for those actions, we can significantly reduce the number of homeless, neglected, and abused animal victims. Tougher ordinances will not only protect the welfare of animals but also alleviate the burden on our local shelters and taxpayers. I’m particularly looking forward to working with the county’s judicial system to support the implementation of Animal Advocates for impounded animals and have seen the vital role that victims’ advocates have played in being a voice for as well as protecting the rights and welfare of others. Just as we have dedicated victim advocates to assist human victims of crime, I believe it is equally important to have advocates specifically trained to represent the interests of impounded animals in the county’s court system. Prosecutors are often unable to provide basic, critical information pertinent to cases, e.g., status and number of animals involved, witnesses that are available to testify, evidence developed by law enforcement, evidence documented in the shelter intake and medical records, and case history and animals can’t speak for themselves. Animal Advocates dedicated to being a witness for the court on behalf of animals will have a greater chance to receive fair treatment and justice. Also, an Animal Disposition Hearing process to streamline and create processes for the handling of impounded animals. This process would significantly reduce the number of animals held in shelters for extended periods, waiting for court cases. By expediting the resolution of animal-related court cases, we can mitigate the unnecessary suffering of these animals, reduce costs of care, and enhance the overall efficiency of our justice system. This innovative approach will not only benefit the animals but also improve the well-being of our community. If elected, I intend to also prioritize the passage of a new breeding and sales regulation and believe there should be a timeline that includes a component of public engagement and awareness. As a suggestion, a timeline similar to what's below could be a start to making such regulations a reality:
Phase 1: Stakeholder Engagement and Research (3-6 months): Gather input from animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, breeders, and pet owners to understand their perspectives and identify potential challenges. Conduct research on successful regulations in other jurisdictions.
Phase 2: Draft Legislation (2-3 months): Develop a comprehensive draft of the proposed regulations, incorporating feedback from stakeholders and best practices.
Phase 3: Public Hearings and Input (4-6 weeks): Hold public hearings to solicit input from the community and address any concerns.
Phase 4: Legislative Process (2-3 months): Introduce the legislation into the county council or commission. Work with colleagues to gain support and navigate the legislative process.
Phase 5: Implementation and Enforcement (6-12 months): Upon passage, develop guidelines and procedures for implementing the new regulations. Establish a system for registering pets and enforcing spay and neuter requirements."
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"As a business owner, attorney and resident, I believe it’s imperative that our animal control department is adequately funded and staffed to meet the highest standards of care and enforcement. I look forward to the CEO hiring a highly qualified and experienced individual based on National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) standards to fill the long-vacant Director position within the first year of the two years remaining in the unexpired term of my predecessor. Since funding is in place for a Director and finally filling this critical role is key to strengthening our animal welfare programs and fostering a more compassionate and responsible community. Qualified and capable leadership will set the tone for incorporating a Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to outline clear guidelines and protocols for all aspects of animal care, from intake and assessment to medical treatment and adoption. With that, ongoing training for all staff members on the SOP manual and systems to equip officers with the latest best practices to handle challenges that may arise. This of course includes training on procedures for good case management and record keeping. I believe such initiatives will enable our animal control officers to effectively enforce animal welfare laws, respond to emergencies, and provide compassionate care for all animals within our jurisdiction. The training is paramount to securing a conviction in animal cases and for retaining good officers committed to being strong witnesses and support both in and out of court. "
"I believe that our county has a responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing environment for all of its residents, including our four-legged friends. To that end, I support the creation of a state-of-the-art shelter equipped with a dedicated and well-trained staff. By ensuring competitive salaries, a more positive work environment, and a supportive culture, we can attract and retain top talent to provide the highest quality care for our animals. I am highly committed to working with the future CEO and my colleagues to ensure that the shelter meets or exceeds National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) standards by allocating sufficient staffing and operational budgets."
"It is the role of the County Commissioner to provide allocations for programs that address the well-being and needs of all residents. Some residents are faced with decisions regarding their care and that of their pets. County resources should include programs and facilities that provide access to essential pet care, including pet food and supplies which is supposed to be happening through Lifeline; veterinary healthcare services; and adequate facilities that allow animals to exercise outdoors and enjoy fresh air. These provisions are crucial for the well-being of pets significantly improving their chances of adoption and rehoming."
"After having more recent discussions, I realize that DeKalb County's “Animal Justice System” is in a state of crisis and in evident need of reform. DeKalb County's current animal justice system is failing to protect the welfare of animals and is imposing a significant financial burden on taxpayers. The county's practice of holding dogs for an average of 329 days for court-related matters is not only inhumane but also costs millions of dollars in care. This excessive detention period often leads to unnecessary animal suffering and in some cases, euthanasia even though the county’s shelter is designated as a no-kill shelter. To address these critical issues, the county must implement a comprehensive reform of its animal justice system. This reform should include:
Reducing the length of stay for court-held animals: Where warranted, the county should expedite the legal process to minimize the time animals spend in shelters.
Establishing a due process framework for owners: Animals should be treated as more than mere property. Owners should have clear rights and responsibilities, including the option and even be encouraged to surrender their animals within specified timelines.
Limiting continuances and the use of animals as legal evidence: To expedite cases, the county should place restrictions on continuances and minimize the practice of treating animals as evidence requiring prolonged detention.
Developing best practices for hearings, animal courts, and judicial training: The county should establish standardized procedures for animal-related hearings, consider implementing specialized animal courts or at least court days and judiciary, and provide comprehensive training to judges, court staff, prosecutors, and advocates.
Incorporating national programs and best practices: DeKalb County should explore and adopt proven strategies from other jurisdictions and national organizations to improve its animal justice system.
By implementing these reforms, DeKalb County can significantly improve the welfare of animals, reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, and ensure a more just and efficient animal justice system."