A proposal to shoot stray dogs with a .22 caliber rifle has been causing an uproar in Sylacauga.
The proposal was first publicly discussed during a work session of the Sylacauga City Council.
Numerous reports of stray dogs along the Highway 280 corridor have prompted city leaders to address the issue. Mayor Matthew Hubbard has asked residents to stop feeding the animals because animal control cannot get the dogs to enter baited live traps. Hubbard contacted four companies certified in coyote trapping, and he said only one replied with a proposal.
Hubbard sent the proposal to council members on May 3. The proposal by Green Landscaping & Maintenance outlined three options: sedation and collection, on-site dispatch and trapping and collection.
For sedation and collection, Green Landscaping would work with a local veterinarian to sedate feral dogs and transport them to animal control for $3,969.
For on-site dispatch, a Green Landscaping staff member, accompanied by a Sylacauga police officer, would shoot feral dogs after business hours. The dead dogs would then be disposed of by local animal control. That option was $12,696.
For trapping and collection, Green Landscaping would set 12 offset-foot traps in high-impact areas and bait the traps for $4,680.
Repeat visits for any of the options were proposed at $3,459 per visit.
Council member Nate Brewer said he supports all options because he has family members living in the area and wants to ensure residents' safety.
Sylacauga Police Chief Rondell Muse said he supported all options because there have been dog attacks, and he wants them to stop. Council member Laura Barlow Heath said the area in question is in her district and that she has not been notified of the alleged attacks.
Hubbard refused to answer questions when a large number of community members came to the work session, but said he would meet one-on-one with citizens.
The proposal was leaked to the public before the City Council was presented with the information. Council member Greer Bisignani requested an investigation into the leak.
The council was expecting to vote on the matter at its May 21 council meeting, but the vendor has rescinded the proposal.
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