German Shepherds Still Missing in Fannin County

BLUE RIDGE, GA – What started out as a good Samaritan’s post on Facebook trying to locate the owners of two at-large dogs, later turned into a search to locate the stolen canines.

On Nov. 1, 2017, a post to a Blue Ridge, Georgia, Facebook page notified followers on the page that two German shepherds had been found. The post read:

“Please Share! These 2 beauties are hanging around the Blue Ridge Post Office. They both have collars but no tags. A male and a female. Let’s find their family!”

Fearing for the animal’s safety, Fannin County Animal Control (FCAC) was called to retrieve the two dogs.

FCAC received a call at 11:59 a.m. and was on the scene within 10 minutes. The animals were able to be contained and were immediately driven back to the Animal Control building located at 1001 Fannin Industrial Park in Blue Ridge.

According to FCAC records, a call was received within 20 minutes of having retrieved the animals, and the woman calling was claiming to be the owner of the dogs.

After coming to the shelter to give information for owner reclaim records, FCAC released the two canines to the woman who had previously called claiming ownership.

After this release, however, another couple stepped forward claiming ownership of the two German shepherds.

This has raised questions concerning an owner’s responsibility to keep their pets properly identified and  FCAC’s owner reclaim policy. The current policy in place states:

“The owner’s information from their ID card (if they have one) will be written in the Date Out section of the Georgia Department of Agriculture Animal Protection Section Incoming, Outgoing and Surrender Record Fannin County Animal Control.”

Fannin County Animal Control Department Head John Drullinger stated, “This is the first time anything like this has happened in the 11 years I have been here. Of course, it makes you take a look at the current policy and try to find ways to improve. We need to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”

Drullinger is working to amend FCAC’s policy regarding owner reclaims. Once the policy is amended, it could take effect immediately.

County Chairman Stan Helton was made aware of the situation but is currently unable to discuss the specifics of the ongoing investigation.

Helton did tell FYN in regards to the case, “It greatly concerns me. I want to make sure that we are concentrating our efforts in trying to locate these two dogs.”

The dogs were last seen with a woman driving a dark gray newer truck, possibly Toyota. According to open records at FCAC, she left the name Kay Gentry.

If you have any information about the location of the two German shepherds, you are asked to call Fannin County Animal Control at 706-632-3845 or the Fannin County Sheriff’s Department non-emergency line at 706-632-6022.

 

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