Robert James, the DeKalb County solicitor general, wants people to know something —- even if you're evicted from your home or apartment, your pets are still your responsibility. And if you don't take care of them, he'll come looking for you.

"There are a lot of things you can do with an animal that you can't care for any longer that doesn't involve locking them in a shed or leaving them in your apartment or house to slowly starve to death," James said. "Lack of money is no excuse for this kind of behavior."

James said while there have always been sporadic cases of pets left to die after someone is evicted for not paying rent or making their mortgage, the recent economic downturn has increased the numbers. This year, there are at least two cases a month, he said, and in May there were four. Sometimes a dog is left tied in a yard, others have been left in crates or locked in a room or even locked in a shed in the backyard.

And the slow, horrendous death isn't even a felony under Georgia animal cruelty laws.

"I see a lot more neglect cases than I see abuse cases," said James. "And the sad thing is it's an incredibly cruel death."

Not that it's happening just in DeKalb County. A recent survey by Petfinder.com asked rescue groups and shelters nationwide if they were getting pets turned in by people who said they could no longer keep them because of home foreclosures. Of 1,055 responses, 49 percent said yes.

Gwinnett County's shelter manager, Lt. Mary Lou Respess, said they've also been seeing at least two cases a month of animal abandonment.

"We had one person who just turned their 2-foot-long iguana loose in the yard," Respess said. "And a lot of people just turn their cats loose, thinking they can survive on their own. But these aren't wild animals. They depend on people."

Fulton County shelter director Jere Alexander said Fulton is also seeing cases. In one instance, a puppy was left in a foreclosed home, and although the owners came back to feed it, it got into poison and died.

"The foreclosure rate is hitting everyone —- people, children and animals," she said. "They just need to try to do the responsible thing."

In DeKalb County, that means taking pets to a shelter or finding a friend or family member to care for them. And the county is serious about that. In addition to the solicitor's office, DeKalb County Animal Services and Enforcement added an animal cruelty unit in January that has a sworn police officer assigned to it.

"Since they've had this sworn officer on board, they've been able to prosecute more cases," said county spokeswoman Mekka Parish. She said since January the unit has made five felony cases and five misdemeanor cases and has written more than 200 citations.

The county district attorney's office also founded an Animal Cruelty Unit. Spokeswoman Jada Hudspeth said the office saw a growing number of animal abuse cases in the county, so district atttorney Gwendolyn Keyes Fleming established the unit. Since its founding in March, the unit has gotten two convictions and has three pending indictment.

Both the solicitor's and district attorney's offices have gotten jail time for people who have abandoned pets, and both officials encourage the public, especially landlords, to report animal abuse when they find an abandoned pet.

"Authorities are taking these cases more seriously," James said. "We have three agencies in this county dedicated to seeing that every life —- human or animal —- is protected."

More hours to adopt

The Gwinnett County animal shelter is expanding its hours, hoping more animals will get adopted. Shelter director Respess said it will now be open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. "We have so many animals, we're hoping leaving the shelter open longer will help more pets to find homes," Respess said. The shelter also will now waive adoption fees for people 55 and older, and also will provide reduced costs for veterinary services on those pets. The new hours will have a 90-day trial period to see if adoptions increase. The shelter is at 770 Hi-Hope Road in Lawrenceville. The new hours are: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Sundays and Mondays. Information: www.gwinnettanimalcontrol.com or 770-339-3200.

Ghost tours for pets

Experienced paranormal investigators lead a one-mile walking tour in and around Roswell's square and the historic mill area. On June 28, July 12 and Aug. 22 pets are welcome. The tours last about two hours and start about 8:30 p.m. Reservations are required and you pay at the start of the tour. Meet at the bandstand across from the Roswell Visitors Center. Tour guides may cancel, so check on the day of tour. $15; $10 ages 12 and younger; pets free. Roswell Town Square, 616 Atlanta St., Roswell. 770-649-9922, www.roswellghosttour.com.

One well-traveled dog

Bella, whose formal name is Cotonbrie Bell' Adormentata, is not only a rare breed of dog, she's also a well-traveled one. A Coton de Tulear, Bella arrived in America in December when Cumming resident Adrianne Dering bought her in Italy. And on July 4 she'll be competing in the FCI World Dog Show in Stockholm, Sweden. Dering fell in love with the small, fluffy breed, which isn't yet recognized by the AKC, although major breed clubs in Europe do. She now has two Cotons. Because Bella's father took the breed at the World Dog Show last year, Dering received an invitation to the show this year. At less than a year old, she'll be competing in the junior class, but if Bella takes that, she would move up to compete against the adults. Of course, with 86 Cotons showing, it will be a tough competition. "But it's on the Fourth of July," Dering noted. "Wouldn't it be fun if she won?" Info: townandcountrycotons.com.

QUICK TIP

Keep pets groomed in the summer. Matting cuts down on air circulation and makes pets overheat. Brush out those winter coats and cut out mats.

NEWS TO SHARE?

Know of pet news, events or stories? Tell Sandra Eckstein at seckstein@ajc.com or call 404-526-7260. For more pet news, go to ajcpets.com.