State probe leaves Liberty County with no place for stray animals

HINESVILLE, Ga. (WTOC) - Stray animals in Liberty County have nowhere to go as the agency responsible for picking them up has stopped taking in animals while under a state investigation.

Liberty County officials confirmed the investigation into Liberty County Animal Control began in February. The Georgia Department of Agriculture launched the inquiry but has not said what prompted it.

Animal advocates say their concerns about the department go back years and that they were not surprised when the state stepped in.

Sandra Fry, director of the Liberty Humane Shelter, said residents have sometimes been told to return stray animals to where they found them.

“Sometimes they avoid picking up animals,” Fry said. “They’ll tell people when they bring an animal in, just take them back to where you found them.”

Fry said the lack of county animal services has had real consequences for residents and animals alike. In one case, she said, a Hinesville resident was attacked by a dog. In another, a pregnant stray dog was reported for months without a response.

Now, with the investigation underway, Fry said animal control has stopped taking in animals altogether, leaving residents with few options.

“It really is illegal for humane shelters to take in strays,” Fry said. “So we want to help the community, but our hands are tied.”

According to Georgia’s Animal Protection Act, only government agencies or organizations that are contracted with a government agency to perform animal control services have the authority to impound animals.

Veterinarian Rachel Peeples of the Coastal Community Veterinary Clinic said the role of animal control extends beyond managing stray animals.

“Animal controls in general have a very difficult task of serving the public health by preventing stray animals that can cause actual physical harm as well as transmit disease,” Peeples said.

Peeples said an outside investigation can help ensure transparency.

“I always think an outside investigation removes as much as you can remove any idea of cover-up or suspicion,” she said.

Liberty County Animal Services declined to comment on the investigation. The Georgia Department of Agriculture has not responded to requests for additional information.

It remains unclear how long the investigation will last or when Liberty County Animal Services will resume normal operations.