COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — Complaints about the agency that responds to issues involving animals and the enforcement of the city’s ordinances regarding such, have not been silenced by a changing of the guard.
PAWS Humane Society took over the operation of the Columbus Animal Care and Control Center after video of a dog being euthanized went viral. This sparked a barrage of public complaints to City Council, and an investigation into the shelter.
That investigation led to the arrests of eight city workers.
More complaints occurred this week, nearly six months into the new regime.
The transition from the city’s management of Columbus Animal Care and Control to PAWS Humane began February 1st. Constant complaints about the services prompted city council to step in and turn the agency over to PAWS Humane. Courtney Pierce is the executive director.
“We’ve had some hurdles and challenges, but overall I think we’re doing pretty well. We certainly learned a lot in the process,” said Courtney Pierce.
The biggest challenge according to Pierce is one they admittedly weren’t prepared for.
“I don’t know that anybody was necessarily prepared for the capacity issues and just how many calls we need to respond to from citizens.”
According to Pierce, since Paws Humane took on the Animal Control function, they’ve responded to more than 2,200 calls from citizens. The PAWS Animal Services Division is budgeted for 15 sworn Animal Service officers, plus a Lieutenant, that responds to the calls.
“We have some level of response 24 hours a day. They run until 10:00 p.m.”
After that, you’re advised to call 911.
That’s what WRBL News Three’s Teresa Whitaker did following an incident on June 24, 2025. Though it wasn’t yet 10:00 p.m., no one had responded to two calls to the Animal Services Division, and Whitaker spoke with a 911 dispatcher on behalf of a Columbus man that had taken possession of a dog tossed from a car that day.
911: "I’m going to go ahead and get that call into Animal Control and I’ll get them out there for you ok.”
Reporter: “Ok thank you so much.”
911: “Yes Ma'am.”
By the next morning, the dog still had not been picked up, though Pierce says a citation was issued to the person who tossed the dog. You may recall during the month of June, PAWS was literally giving away pets, waiving the adoption fees to free up space. Between the shelter and animal services, Pierce says they have nearly 300 animals needing homes.
“Animals coming in faster than they’re going out has been the overarching hurdle that we’re trying to get through.”
Pierce has two important asks of the public because of the sheer volume of pets and the volume of calls: One, be patient if you’re calling the Animal Services Division. Two, consider becoming a Friendly Finder.
“We will provide all of the, food, a crate, whatever it is that you need to temporarily take care of the animal.”
Pierce says if just 30 families decided to adopt today, it would be a gamechanger.
If you find a stray or to report animal abuse, you can call the Paws Animal Services Division at 706-653-4512. Pierce says in the case of strays or lost pets, check the lost pet pages on social media first. She says you also have the option of dropping off a stray at the Animal Services Center.
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