A Franklin County animal lover found a morbid surprise in his yard on Nov 21. One of the neighborhood dogs was shot and left to die. Carl Lemery tried to get help for the wounded animal, but his only option was handing it over to Animal Control where it would eventually be put to sleep. Lemery and the Sheriff says it's situations like this one that verify why the county desperately needs Animal Control Laws.
"Around 8:00 this morning, (Tuesday) we heard a loud bang like a gunshot. Then we heard a dog hollering and screaming," describes Carl Lemery.
When Carl and his mom went to investigate they found a dog lying in their yard suffering from a gun shot wound.
"Terrible. It's awful and disgusting," says Carl.
An avid animal lover, Carl tried to make it comfortable by giving the dog food and water. He then worked the phones to find a shelter or Humane Society which would take the dog and try and make him better. He quickly learned his only option was to call Animal Control who would take the dog to the Animal Shelter in Lavonia where he would probably be put to sleep. Carl didn't want to put someone else's dog to sleep. But when Animal Control showed up, the dog was in pretty bad shape. Wrapping him in a blanket they put him in the truck and drove him to the shelter.
"When he got here he was already having trouble breathing," describes the shelter's director Sherri Lockhart. "He was on his death bed. We euthanized him humanely so he wouldn't have to suffer."
Unfortunately this isn't the first time this has happened. About six months ago Carl's mom's dog got out. They didn't know it and he was shot. He later died before the family could get to it.
Carl believes the same neighbor who shot his mom's dog shot the one he found Tuesday.
"The deputy talked with the neighbor who supposedly did the shooting. That person told officers the dog was attacking their chickens. Well, you have a right to defend your property," says Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas.
No charges are being filed, but the sheriff believes these situations could be avoided if Franklin County had a leash law, or some sort of animal ordinance. Commissioners are apparently working on adopting a leash law, so Carl won't have to face this situation again. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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