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Class A misdemeanors result in shelters at full capacity

By Kris Harrell

In the past few months, the Butler County Humane Society (BCHS) has reported an uptick in abandoned and stray pet intake. 

According to Cory Rice, the animal caretaker for the society, this is a chronic issue. Kandys Killough founded the Butler County Humane Society for the same reason around 30 years ago in an effort to help pets abandoned on the dirt road near her home.

“It’s a huge problem; it’s happening in a lot of different states and different areas, [but] Greenville’s drop off population is ridiculous,” Rice said. “It’s getting to the point where I’m about to start placing trail cameras all over Greenville and catch who’s doing this. At the end of the day, I’m not trying to put guilt on anybody. I just want to get [the] momma [dogs] fixed.” 

Under Alabama Code section 13A-11-240 B, leaving animals on the side of the road in the state of Alabama is against the law. 

“Dumping a pet on the roadway is a criminal act [Class A misdemeanor], and is considered animal cruelty,” said Sheriff David Scruggs. “The first conviction can result in a fine of up to $3,000 and/or up to one year in jail.” 

Just in the past two months, Rice stated that the society has picked up three adult dogs and 11 puppies on their road alone, with a new group of seven dogs picked up recently. These numbers do not include other animals BCHS and the Greenville Animal Shelter pick up in Butler County. 

Heavy animal intake puts a strain on the shelters, Rice explained, a strain that has been routinely leaving BCHS at full capacity for the past year. 

“As soon as a kennel opens, I’m refilling it immediately,” Rice said. “I want Greenville to know that they do not have to drop animals off. If the shelter is full and they don’t want to wait for the shelter to open up, they need to call us. We’ll work with them [and] we’ll do our best to help them.” 

One main issue the society faces is owned pets not being spayed or neutered. The situation often results in repeated pregnancies and litters of puppies dropped off along Butler County roads. 

The society urges Butler County pet owners to get their pets fixed, regardless of whether they are an inside or outside animal, with a priority on female pets. If Butler County pet owners wish to get their pets fixed, the Butler County Humane Society can assist and takes pets to Alabama Animal Alliance in Montgomery to get them fixed once a week. 

There, for the cost of $60 for a male cat; $85 for a female cat, $80 or more for a female dog, based on its weight, and $70 or more for a male dog, based on its weight the animals are spayed or neutered. 

“If you can’t deal with it and the shelters are full, please call us, and we’ll help you come up with a solution,” Rice said. “Just stop dropping these poor animals off on the side of the road where who knows [which ones] make it and [which] don’t. We will help you; we will come give shots, wormers, we will get everything the puppies need to go off to the rescue.”

Contact the Butler County Humane Society at (334) 368-8246 or the Greenville Animal Shelter at (334) 382-7806.