The threat of Atlanta losing its dog catchers over an elephants’ rights dispute has abated — for now.
On Wednesday the Fulton County Commission extended a temporary animal control services agreement through the end of the year, again putting off the two governments’ dispute over whether circus elephant handlers should be allowed to wield sharp-tipped control instruments called bullhooks. Commissioner Joan Garner, who represents downtown Atlanta, suggested the extension to give more time for negotiations.
Fulton County outlawed bullhooks last year, but the Atlanta City Council has declined amid fears that a ban might keep Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus out of Philips Arenaand into Gwinnett. Fulton provides animal control countywide, but commissioners say they can’t ink a formal contract with the city when their ordinances conflict.
If the services lapses in Atlanta, taxpayers throughout the county could be affected. The city’s call volume has it paying 60 percent of the county contract, and with Atlanta out of the formula, the other 13 cities would be left paying more for the service.
Commissioner Bill Edwards said that had the county cut off the service, the city would have rushed to the negotiating table.
“What’s the city’s options?” he said. “I’m not scared. We own everything. The people that need to be scared are across the street [at city hall].”
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