CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -
A proposal in Montgomery County would raise the fine for animal control citations for first time violators.
Animal control officials are pushing to increase the fine from $25 to $50.
The shelter is currently at capacity, with 20 to 35 animals being surrendered each day.
"Last month we were over 60% in owner surrender," shelter director Karen Josephson said.
Instead of providing sick pets with medical care or having their animal spayed or neutered, many people turn pets over to animal control.
County officials are hoping to curb the problem by enforcing higher fines for pet citations.
"Twenty-five dollars just isn't enough to make someone feel like they even want to pay it and a lot of people consequently don't pay it," Josephson said.
Fineable violations include failing to vaccinate pets for rabies and not having dogs on leashes, among others.
Josephson told Nashville's News 2 failure to have animals vaccinated for rabies is a major problem and health concern.
"In our county, we are currently at 92% non compliance for rabies," she explained.
County commissioners will discuss the pet citation increase on June 4.
