Home > Gwinnett > Rick Badie / My Opinion > Archives > 2007 > July > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USOfficer has full schedule dealing with animal cruelty complaints
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The mixed retriever starts barking as soon as we pull up. He’s in a backyard kennel. Next to the kennel is a large water oak tree with a chain wrapped around it’s trunk.
Last time a Gwinnett County Animal Control officer visited this Stone Mountain residence, the pooch had been chained to that tree. That’s a violation of the county’s six-month-old anti-tethering law. He also had a horrific case of fly bites, the result of flies nipping at his ears in search of a blood meal. It’s a common condition in outside dogs.
A week ago, the dog owners were told to get this pooch to a vet. Officer Mike Chatham stopped by the house Wednesday to see if they’d done it. He knocks on the door. Nothing.
When we walk toward the kennel, the dog retreats, sullenly, into the kennel dog house. Chatham tries cajoling to no avail.
On Wednesday, I rode shotgun with Chatham, an 11-year veteran of the county’s animal control unit. He’s one of two cruelty investigators who traverse the county responding to complaints of neglect regarding all types of animals, but usually canines and cats.
Incident reports have been on the uptick recently, and Chatham suspects a lightning rod for the surge may have been Michael Vick’s federal indictment on dogfighting charges.
Or episodes of Animal Planet, the cable TV channel.
“People see that show, and they say, ‘Hey, my neighbor is doing that,’ ” said Chatham, a 1990 graduate of South Gwinnett High.
People and animals can make for an intense intimacy. Vick picked the wrong illegal activity to allegedly hitch up with. He should have ran a brothel, a gambling ring or a crystal meth lab. None of those criminal acts would have garnered the wrath of the general public like allegations of drowning, electrocuting and hanging dogs.
Wrong victim. Wrong network of activists and advocates to rouse.
As a reporter, I wrote more than my share of stories about loss of life. None ever generated the kind of response like a 1999 story about two kitten killers. The Hall County boys poured gasoline on a 3-month-old tabby, then set it on fire with a cigarette lighter.
“Dunkin’s” tale sparked a national outrage. Missives came from across the globe. Outrage about the loss of a human seems more muted, almost expected.
I asked Chatham to put animal passion in a better context for me. After all, he’s in the profession that looks out for the welfare of Fido as well as the occasional horse, goat, rabbit or deer.
“I don’t know what the connection is,” said Chatham, a family man who has three terriers. “But it’s strong.”
Animal lovers praise Gwinnett’s anti-tethering law. It’s unlawful to restrain or anchor a pet with a chain, rope or cord unless it is being held by a person. The law was adopted due to an increase in animals, mainly dogs, dying from heat stroke and self-strangulation, said Joey Brooks, the county’s other animal cruelty investigator.
Citations can carry up to a $1,000 fine or jail time, but the county doesn’t want to be punitive. Unless the animal’s in eminent danger, owners are given time to take care of the conditions.
“We look at the overall situation,” Brooks told me. “Are they being neglected? Can they reach their water?” On any given day, the animal control office receives about 100 complaints a day. The 30 or so officers each travel 150 to 200 miles a day. The expansive county, mixed with its treacherous traffic, limits the number of reports and follow-up cases they can address.
When Chatham checked his computer around 10:15 Wednesday morning, 15 new complaints had come in since 8 a.m. The Stone Mountain residence with the fly-bitten retriever was his second stop of the day.
Before leaving the house, Chatham tries the door one more time. This time, a teen emerges. He said his mom planned to take the dog to a vet Wednesday. Chatham hands him a “neglect form” about the time his mom drives up. She, too, indicates that the dog is scheduled to see a vet.
On to the next case.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail rbadie@ajc.com.
Permalink | Comments (42) | Post your comment | Categories: Rick Badie
Comments
By LM
July 26, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this
I am so glad Gwinnet has adopted the anti tethering law. I have neighbors who get home from work and first thing they do is put the dog on a chain. It’s a beagle and it barks all the time it is outside, now they have gotten a new puppy beagle and are doing the same thing to both of the dogs. We’ve made calls, just waiting, we understand Animal Control is busy, but know this will be addressed.
Thanks Gwinnett Animal Control!
By Bruce Wilcox
July 26, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
I can never understand why someone would buy a dog just to tie it to a tree. My dog is my buddy, we even have discussions on the issues of the day, she is a great listener and hardly ever falls asleep when I’m ranting. She is spoiled, but well trained, I guess like all dog lovers I could go on and on about my dog so I’ll give it a rest.
Our problem was a pack of loose dogs but a little prodding from Commissioner Green the problem was solved. I do not think I would be that great as a Animal Control Officer, I can’t stand to see a animal mistreated and I don’t think I would be very diplomatic about it. They all deserve a ‘Pat’ on the back.
By ahhh
July 26, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Good for Gwinnett County! All counties need to follow suit. I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve called about cases of animal cruelty or neglect I’ve seen. Dogs, cats, horses….it’s heartbreaking. Some people just should not be allowed to own pets, they are either too stupid or too lazy to care for them properly. There should be laws that prohibit pet ownership if there is a history of neglect and abuse. All of my dogs and cats are rescue animals, victims of abandonment or abuse and they are the most wonderful friends.
By Al
July 26, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Perhaps this should be yet another instance where people should be required to get a license, or at the very least be required to go through some sort of training beforehand. For instance, require potential dog owners to first volunteer at the local Humane Society before committing to ownership. When I volunteered there, I learned a HUGE amount about dogs and what it takes to properly care for one. One thing that really stuck in my memory is just how much dogs rely on human companionship, and that you simply cannot cast them aside (i.e. leave them tied up outside) when it becomes too inconvenient for you to care for them. Pet ownership is a much bigger responsibility than most people realize, and when those who aren’t prepared get overwhelmed by it, the pet winds up suffering the most.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
As a reporter, I wrote more than my share of stories about loss of life. None ever generated the kind of response like a 1999 story about two kitten killers. The Hall County boys poured gasoline on a 3-month-old tabby, then set it on fire with a cigarette lighter.
“Dunkin’s” tale sparked a national outrage. Missives came from across the globe. Outrage about the loss of a human seems more muted, almost expected.
I asked Chatham to put animal passion in a better context for me. After all, he’s in the profession that looks out for the welfare of Fido as well as the occasional horse, goat, rabbit or deer.
“I don’t know what the connection is,” said Chatham, a family man who has three terriers. “But it’s strong,” writes Rick Badie.
Rick, this is an easy one. The unnatural connection of human beings to animals is none other than spiritual wickedness which is rampant throughout the United States of America. And it’s not just spiritual wickedness; Americans live in a persistent state of evil, especially African Americans via integration.
In the words of Bishop Oprie Jeffries, Overseer of The True Church of God in Christ, “the bible has got it right.”
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools.
And they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen…
By Hunter
July 26, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
My dogs are my favorite people. They are loyal, kind and the sweetest babies. Last year when my husband’s grandmother was ill and dying he went out of town to be with her and I stayed behind for a few days. I was a bit sad during that time, that my husband was away and that he was dealing with the impending loss of his grandmother. My black lab knew I was sad and when I was laying in bed she came and jumped up on the bed, licked my face, then jumped off of the bed and went downstairs and came back up with her favorite stuffed toy. I thought she wanted to play, but instead she put her toy down beside me and nudged it under my arm, licked me and got back off of the bed. Her toy made her happy so she was giving it to me to make me happy. That was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. How anyone could be mean to a dog, or any animal for that matter, is way beyond me.
By Lord Byron
July 26, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
Hey, Rick, before you go “exposing” all the instances of animal cruelty in Gwinnett, how about doing your bit to get your own house in order first. The ajc Vent routinely publishes “funny” remarks about killing, shooting and torturing cats. Somehow I doubt you’d find it humorous if Black People were substituted for our feline friends. And, quite a few Vents defending Vick opine that the alleged victims were “just dogs.” With such a mindset, it’s no wonder that animal abuse is common.
By Hunter
July 26, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
Charles, you have to be the most ignorant person from whom I have ever had the displeasure of reading a post. How can you even begin to rant that bonding with your animal companion is spiritual wickedness? Seek therapy.
By Bruce Wilcox
July 26, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
I believe some people should be tied to trees unable to play on a computer until after school begins such as Lord Byron.
Charles please save it for Sunday.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
In order for white people to regain their connection to God, see the following websites:
www.radioliberty.com www.iotconline.com www.thepatriots.us www.chuckcoppes.com www.freedomadvocates.org www.infowars.com www.deliberatedumbingdown.com www.expendableelite.comwww.senatornancyschaefer.comwww.spychips.com www.911truth.orgwww.augustreview.comwww.spychips.com
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
African Americans have too many internal enemies. Therefore, I can’t provide African American websites that would be in your best interest. Your internal enemies would attack them as they did Marcus Garvey with the full support of the FBI. Don’t be deceived, your enemies are of your own people. They deceive you for money.
By Scholar
July 26, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this
Can someone from the AJC remove the post from Charles? Thanks.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Here are other websites that are beneficial to the masses of white people. African American can benefit as well.
They are available for you Monday-Sunday, 24/7
www.americandeception.comwww.worldaffairsbrief.comwww.gregpalast.com www.ccir.net www.williamhkennedy.com www.patholiday.comwww.thepowerhour.comwww.jerryesmith.com www.dickmorris.comwww.antichips.comwww.beareroflight.comwww.gregpalast.com
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
I see that Scholar has become soft. He can’t win in the battle of ideas. So, he begs someone with the AJC to help him defeat me.
It’s impossible man. I have on the whole armor of God. I am able to shut the lying mouths of the wicked.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
I see even Bruce Wilcox want me to save the word of God for Sunday. Yet the devil is busy 24/7.
By blah, blah, blah
July 26, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Charles you are a very disturbed person and are stuck in the dark ages….your kind of religion is what gives organized religion such a bad rap.
By blah, blah, blah
July 26, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Charles you are a very disturbed person and are stuck in the dark ages….your kind of religion is what gives organized religion such a bad rap.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Bringing you the Story behind the Story, the News behind the News. Hoping to convince you that reality is usually scoffed at and illusion is usually king, but in the battle for the survival of Western civilization it will be reality and not illusion or delusion that will determine what the future will bring.
Radio Liberty is hosted by Dr. Stanley Monteith.
www.radioliberty.com
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
Some of these people remind me of integrationist African Americans when other people decide to use the N word publicly.
They run with hat in hand begging that corporations and others do for them what they can’t do for themselves.
How shameful and pathetic.
By Lord Byron
July 26, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
So, Bruce believes that if anyone expresses an opinion contrary to his own they “should be tied to a tree.” Not a very mature expression is that, Mister. So, do you hate cats? Do you think is okay to openly advocate shooting, killing, torturing and eating them? The Vent Guy apparently does. Of course, a warning to the editorial powers at the ajc about the potential for subpoena of ipc origins of unlawful Vents reined in the gleeful sadism. I’d rather be on the side of supporting and defending dogs and cats, as opposed to advocating “tieing to a tree” anyone who speaks out in opposition to barbaric practices. So, Bruce, it’s your privilege to disagree with me, but it’s not in your power to silence my thoughts.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this
So there you have it my friends. When Christians decide to fight back in the public arena, there is no competition.
Most of these Johnny come lately so-called educated people are not so smart after all.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
I wonder why people don’t have any opposition to the human consumption of all sorts of animals.
Some people barbarically barbecue many of them in their back yards on special occasions; some while tailgating before football games.
Supermarkets around the country are filled with slaughtered animals. The animals are packaged and on display.
Sorry, this is not a vote for dog-fighting. It’s an effort to force people to think. I hope my comments shine a light on their misplaced aggression.
By Bruce Wilcox
July 26, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
Lord Byron don’t you feel you have some kind of responsibility to comment in an intelligent manner? Rick has nothing to do with the Vent, there are links to complain to the right people. Then you try adding race into, what was a decent blog on how we treat our four legged friends, figuring everyone would bite at the bait.
Think about it Lord Byron, do you really want to grow up to be like Charles.
By Patina
July 26, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
It’s sad how some people grab onto these blogs as a pulpit to espouse their fanatical ideas. What is even more sad is that they seem to have all day to bait people into arguments and to post their rantings.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
I was talking to an acquaintance yesterday. She was indicated how bad it is for Mike Vick to have participated in dog-fighting, allegedly.
She finally tossed the last KFC chicken wing in the trash can. She told me how good it was from the last box she purchased on Wesley Chapel Road.
I don’t know about you all. I sense an element of contradiction.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 2:18 PM | Link to this
Bruce Wilcox,
I hope people don’t want to be like me. I am a very rare person among people, called and sent by God.
I do want you to be like the people associated with the following links:
www.radioliberty.com www.iotconline.com www.thepatriots.us www.chuckcoppes.com www.freedomadvocates.org www.infowars.com www.deliberatedumbingdown.com www.expendableelite.comwww.senatornancyschaefer.comwww.spychips.com www.911truth.orgwww.augustreview.comwww.spychips.com
By Amy
July 26, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
Charles, you are not God so shut-up.
My cat has sat with me plenty of times while I prayed. I sang about Noah and the animals on the ark in church growing up. You must go to one of those hypocritical, holier than thou, women don’t cut their hair and wear long denim skirts, no windows to let in God’s beautiful sunlight, churches. GOD IS LOVE, NOT HATE! HE WHO LOVES IS OF GOD! I sing it in church every Sunday. Besides, people are saved by the grace of God, not by what they do or don’t do. I don’t think Jesus would be cruel to an animal or to any person for that matter.
Now on to the subject. I can’t stand it when people don’t let their animals in the house and keep them chained up outside. It makes me so mad. My cat stays inside with us and sometimes we go outside in our fenced-in backyard together so she can watch the birds. She senses when I am ill and will come sit near me. She makes me laugh and she’ll hunt down any bug that gets into our house. I think all counties should follow suit behind Gwinnett. Floyd County, especially. I know this one house where this boxer puppy is chained up outside with no shade, no water in this horrible heat. CRUEL CRUEL CRUEL.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
It is strange how Patina perceives me and the world. Do you really think I want to bait people into a discussion? Please!
I have not been referred to as a fanatic before. Although I must confess, I really do love Jesus, the bible, and human beings of different sorts.
That’s why I tell you the truth. I will not lie to you.
Reality is always painful to those who have been deceived and live in a fantasy world.
By Bruce Wilcox
July 26, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
I danced with the devil under the pale moonlight, guess I’m a rare person too. We have to do lunch sometime.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Bringing you the Story behind the Story, the News behind the News. Hoping to convince you that reality is usually scoffed at and illusion is usually king, but in the battle for the survival of Western civilization it will be reality and not illusion or delusion that will determine what the future will bring.
Radio Liberty is hosted by Dr. Stanley Monteith.
www.radioliberty.com
By Charles
July 26, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Bruce Wilcox,
once you become familiar with these websites, there will be little time for lunch. You will discover that you are not rare after all. There are billions more caught in the web of Satan.
www.americandeception.comwww.worldaffairsbrief.comwww.gregpalast.com www.ccir.net www.williamhkennedy.com www.patholiday.comwww.thepowerhour.comwww.jerryesmith.com www.dickmorris.comwww.antichips.comwww.beareroflight.comwww.gregpalast.com
By Bruce Wilcox
July 26, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Charles being gods chosen one, according to you at least, comes with some resonsibility or did god order you to do whatever you wanted, where ever you wanted, to anyone you wanted to spread the word? I doubt it.
There is a study by Boston University about people who ordain themselves as chosen ones to spread the word and how it causes more damage than good. You can find it on the web, interesting other insights that you may find helpful.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
I listened as a Hebrew Israelite Prince lent his support to a person caught in the web of Satan. He said that he is the woman’s mentor.
The Prince has to be smarter than that. There are times when credible people lend their support to people who are doing nefarious things.
As soon as the Prince is no longer listening or being interviewed, the woman proceeds to deceive the average African American. She is now armed with the influence of A Hebrew Israelite Prince.
In the final analysis, God will hold him responsible for failing to correct her. She purposely introduced him with great salutations. Such a ploy deprives a person of his or her judgment. This ploy is practiced by many radio hosts.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
Bruce Wilcox,
Let me tell you how it happened. I was in Church listening to the pastor give his sermon.
The pastor said, repeat after me. Here I am Lord. Send me.
Boy did I make a mistake. I repeated the words with all sincerity of heart.
When repeating such hallowed words, God does have those he has called from the foundation of the world and sent into the world.
You should try it sometimes.
Good luck!
By TrainerLady
July 26, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Rick, You said, “Outrage about the loss of a human seems more muted, almost expected…I asked Chatham to put animal passion in a better context for me.”
I’d like to offer some more REAL input on this. I don’t think people would feel less outrage if two babies were treated the same as those kittens. I think some of us might feel that it’s obvious to most what a horrific crime that would be. There are very serious laws against taking or torturing human lives. However, animal abuse laws are much less punitive. Often animal abusers get off with a slap on the wrist. You’d probably never have someone argue in The Vent, for instance, that they were only babies—what’s the big deal?
Most of those of us who love and respect animal lives, want to see the same justice for these crimes. (More importantly, we want to see this kind of behavior stop, completely, just like we’d like to see the end of murder, rape, hate crimes, etc.) Many of us feel that we have to make a lot of noise when animals are hurt or killed, so that those in the position to make the guilty pay will do the right thing.
Whether it be dog-fighting or kitten- torturing, this type of crime must be committed by very sick individuals. I hate the thought of these sick people living normal lives and being given the opportunity to do more damage. Statistics show that these people have almost as little regard for human lives as animal lives.
This is my soapbox until it receives the attention it deserves.
I hope this helped put things in context for you. Thank you for putting the question out there.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this
Bruce Wilcox,
The vast majority of men and women are basically blind on the earth. Things are not as they appear. Whatever theory is written today, it will practically reverse itself tomorrow.
Take a closer look at men and women on earth. They basically live their lives deceiving and being deceived.
By Lynette
July 26, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
It is a simple as this. My dog has never one time broken, my heart or my trust. I do not know many humans I can sy that about.
By Charles
July 26, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Well,
It was good talking to everyone today. I really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments. But like some of you, I strongly disagree with some; but in America, you still have the right to express what you believe is true.
I have a conference to attend. We will talk to everyone tomorrow; God willing.
By Lynette
July 26, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
It is a simple as this. My dog has never one time broken, my heart or my trust. I do not know many humans I can sy that about.
By tcote
July 26, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Hopefully there is a special place in HELL for the people that abuse animals and children…and Charles DOG is GOD spelled backwards….go figured!
By Ms. Writer
July 26, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
Charles aka Bubba aka Grand WIzard of the Ku Klux Klan aka Psych patient: Go drink the purple Kool-aid with your other Jim Jones flunkies.
By http://BarkingDogATLAS.blogspot.com
August 15, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this
http://BarkingDogATLAS.blogspot.com