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BUSINESS

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Animal Services seeks authority to add controls on vicious dogs By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com

FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Animal Services is asking the Forsyth County Commission for changes to allow them to better protect residents’ pets. The current animal ordinance contains no provision for officials to deem a dog dangerous if it attacks a pet unless the pet dies. If a dog is deemed dangerous, its owner must register the animal, confine it in a secure enclosure, have signs posted warning the public and maintain liability insurance of at least $50,000, among other requirements. The dog can also be ordered euthanized by a court. So far this year, 12 of the county’s 402 reported dog bites were by dogs deemed dangerous. said Karen Pachuta, an attorney who represents the county’s Animal Services Department. The county currently has some 50 dogs classified as dangerous. Animal Services is asking the county to create a new designation of “potentially dangerous” for dogs that attack pets or livestock. A potentially dangerous dog could be upgraded to dangerous status if it bites again. “We've seen some really serious animal injuries, and people spend $15,000 easily with the veterinarian’s office,” Pachuta said.

See ANIMAL, Page 12

ROI

matters.

County weighs stricter rules on business link disclosures By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County commissioners are weighing rule changes that would require them and other senior staff to disclose relationships with businesses appearing before the board. At its Nov. 12 work session, the commission considered clarifying requirements for disclosing business relationships such as full-time work, consulting or speaking agreements for companies with applications or contracts under review. The changes could apply to commissioners, county officials and businesses. “If someone travels to let’s say a state conference, and they are using that platform as an opportunity for some other business type relationship,” County Commissioner Laura Semanson said. “Those kinds of things all matter. I think within 15 days you disclose any relationships that you have with anybody who does business with the county or in the county.” Commissioners will consider adopting changes to their rules in January, she said. “We all probably get asked to do things, but I think the difference is you are potentially being financially rewarded for the expertise of this job to help a private organization or individual,” she said, adding, “It needs to be disclosed.” County Attorney Ken Jarrard said commissioners should be required to disclose any financial ties with

SCREENSHOT

Forsyth County commissioners discuss ethics rule changes to shine more light on county officials’ links with business interests at a Nov. 12 work session.

There is a leap of faith in all of this, is there not? You don’t know until someone doesn’t report and gets caught. CINDY JONES MILLS Forsyth County Commissioner companies even if they are outside Forsyth County. “That is a disclosure requirement if you ask me,” he said.

Forsyth’s ethics code and state law already require the disclosure of financial contributions greater than $250 to county officials by anyone submitting proposals for county work. Those disclosures are made during the application process. The code includes a “prophylactic provision” prohibiting commissioners and county officials from accepting employment or providing services if they might create the appearance of a conflict of interest, Jarrard said.

See COUNTY, Page 12

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