Two Clayton County animal control employees were seriously injured last month when a pit bull turned on staff during routine intake at the county shelter, leaving one worker without part of a finger and another with multiple bite wounds and a damaged foot. Officials say both employees are now facing a long road to recovery.
County: Pit Bull 'Barney' Not Going Anywhere
The dog at the center of the attack is a nearly two-year-old pit bull named Barney, which animal control staff say was picked up after roaming with several other dogs. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Clayton County Animal Control reported that the attack began after a muzzle was removed and Barney lunged at a staff member, biting down and severing part of the worker's finger. The agency told the station it has concluded that Barney "poses a significant risk to the public" and that the dog will remain in custody and will not be released.
Inside the Shelter's Heavy Workload
The Clayton County Police Department's Animal Control unit runs an adoption center in Ellenwood along with a headquarters in Jonesboro, handling stray pickups, impounds and bite investigations across the county. Online, the department notes that animal control responds to dozens of calls every day and will impound animals believed to be a threat to public safety, according to the Clayton County Police Department.
What State Law Says Happens Next
Georgia law lays out a clear process for dealing with serious dog attacks. Under the state's Responsible Dog Ownership Act, officers are allowed to immediately impound dogs they believe are dangerous, and the law explains when a dog can be labeled "dangerous" or "vicious." Those designations come with strict registration, confinement and muzzling rules and can ultimately result in forfeiture or euthanasia in some situations. The full statutory language is available via Justia.
What Residents Need To Know
Animal control officials noted that the attack took place shortly after a muzzle was removed, a detail they say highlights why muzzling and secure handling are standard protocol whenever a dog is taken out of its enclosure. The Responsible Dog Ownership Act spells out those safety requirements and the penalties for owners who ignore them, according to the Animal Legal & Historical Center. The county's animal control page also lists phone numbers, hours and instructions for reporting loose, aggressive or possibly dangerous animals.
According to officials, the initial account of the incident was given to reporters by Clayton County Animal Control and then summarized by local media outlets. Residents who spot roaming dogs or who have questions about reporting a bite or attack can contact the Animal Control Unit through the channels listed on the county's website.
