Franklin County commissioners adopt an animal control ordinance and shelter agreement

In June 2025, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners' work session noted that "there is currently no animal control in the county." Commissioners began discussing a draft animal control ordinance the following month, and by September legal counsel and the Marshal's Office were weighing options and processes for addressing animal control issues.

Discussion in late September 2025 covered a potential partnership with the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter, with the cost of equipment needed to carry out the ordinance estimated at $10,000 to $20,000. In October, attorney Nathan Pugh of The Samuels Firm presented commissioners with a draft ordinance.

Work on the ordinance continued into 2026. In February, Commissioner Thompson reviewed a draft outlining three articles, with equipment costs by then estimated at $5,000 to $6,000. In March, the board tabled the item at the county attorney's request to bring it back at the next work session, and in April the board discussed enforcement measures, the Marshal's and officers' discretion, and associated fines.

On May 4, 2026, commissioners voted 5-0 for a resolution supporting the state law that gives animal control officers authority to impound dangerous or vicious dogs. Later that month, attorney Priya Patel reviewed an updated ordinance and an intergovernmental agreement with the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. On June 1, the board voted 5-0 to approve the Animal Control Ordinance, giving enforcement responsibility and discretion to the Marshal's Office, though the related shelter agreement item was pulled from that same meeting's agenda.

The shelter agreement returned for discussion on June 30, revised so the shelter now submits a proposed annual budget before the county adopts its own budget. Commissioners approved the intergovernmental agreement with the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter 3-0 on July 6, 2026.