Meriwether County Animal Services put out an urgent plea Monday after two dogs with gunshot wounds were brought into the county shelter. One of the dogs was pregnant, and the other was hurt so badly it needed a leg amputated. Staff say both animals were picked up in the Primrose Road area and taken into care, adding to a string of recent cases involving shot dogs and prompting a very public call for residents to stop pulling the trigger on local pets.
Shelter Slams Shootings as 'Ridiculous'
In a public post, Meriwether County Animal Services wrote that "shooting sweet dogs ... is ridiculous," according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The shelter and local reporting say staff are urging residents to call animal services with concerns about loose dogs or questions about restraint laws instead of taking matters into their own hands with firearms.
What Responders Found on Primrose Road
FOX 5 Atlanta reports that the wounded dogs were recovered in the Primrose Road area and then transported to the Meriwether County shelter for treatment. According to the shelter, different kinds of ammunition have shown up in these cases: some dogs were hit with bird shot, while others were struck with larger-caliber bullets. Staff also noted that three dogs from John Trammel Road arrived at the shelter with bullet wounds last year, underscoring a troubling pattern.
Law, Reporting and What Officials Say
Meriwether County's animal-control ordinance sets the rules for restraint, impoundment and enforcement involving domestic animals, and county officials along with shelter staff say that shooting dogs without cause can bring criminal charges and should be reported. Residents looking for the legal language on containment and enforcement, as well as how to file a report, can find it in the Meriwether County code and in the shelter's post, which outline reporting and filing details.
How To Reach the Shelter
The Meriwether County shelter lists its local contact information online and is part of the Best Friends Network, and anyone with tips about these shootings or worries about roaming dogs is being asked to contact animal services directly. Regional shelter directories include the agency's phone number and intake details for residents and rescue partners. PawsnPups and Best Friends both list current information for Meriwether County Animal Shelter.
