Monday, January 1, 2023–6:30 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
In October, the Floyd County Commission approved a new spay-neuter ordinance, and the City of Rome may follow.
The county ordinance requires all dogs to be spayed or neutered and micro-chipped at six months of age. The requirement for cats is four months of age. There would be several exceptions, such as if the animal is not medically sound or is a working animal, such as police canines or hunting dogs. Licensed breeders would also be exempt.
The ordinance was in response to a growing number of stray animals in the county.
During a recent Rome Public Safety Committee meeting, Rome City Manager Sammy Rich asked for a copy of the county ordinance so members of the committee could look over it. The goal is to have consistency within the city limits as well. The City of Cave Spring recently approved a spay-neuter ordinance that mirrors the county ordinance.
Floyd County Public Animal Welfare Services picked up 102 stray animals in October. There were 83 pickups in November and through December 15, there had been 39.
The live outcome at P.A.W.S. was 96 percent in October.
It dropped slightly to 94 percent in November.
