Chattooga County Commissioner Andy Allen has released a statement addressing the recent Georgia Department of Agriculture inspection of the Chattooga County Animal Control facility and outlining ongoing efforts to improve operations and rebuild community trust. The inspection, a routine oversight procedure, identified areas needing improvement to ensure the facility meets the highest standards of animal care and compliance.
In the statement, Commissioner Allen emphasized a commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the findings. “As your County Commissioner, I am committed to transparency and accountability in all aspects of our local government,” the statement read. “The inspection provided valuable insights into how we can better serve the animals in our care and the broader community.” The Commissioner acknowledged a history of challenges at the Animal Control facility, including a past incident leading to a decline in trust with local animal advocates. He highlighted the careful selection of the current director, Lindsey Momon, emphasizing the thorough hiring process that involved input from his office and the Summerville Veterinary Clinic.
The statement also addressed an interaction with the Chattooga County Animal Advocates group, explaining that Director Momon declined their request to immediately release specific dogs due to incomplete paperwork. The county’s animal control director and the commissioner said that the advocacy group has been asked to come back and discuss ongoing issues at the shelter, but to date, they have declined. Animal Advocates of Chattooga County issued a statement after being turned away from the shelter saying, “At Ms. Momon’s first day as animal control director, a volunteer went in to discuss animals scheduled for rescue. Ms. Momon abruptly dismissed the volunteer and said she was reorganizing”.
The Commissioner further noted that he has extended multiple invitations to the group to discuss collaborative solutions and welcome volunteer support. “I have invited them to meet each time and discuss how we can best move forward together,” the Commissioner stated. “Their insights and participation are invaluable as we improve our animal control operations. We welcome volunteer groups to assist with animal care and are willing to collaborate with any interested animal advocate groups to help get our animals adopted to good homes.”
The statement from Commissioner Allen said that he encourages open communication and collaboration with the community to ensure the well-being of animals in Chattooga County.
From WZQZ
