Augusta, GA
Augusta animal shelter leads the state in killing dogs
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – New data shows Augusta has the highest animal euthanasia rates in the state.
A group wanted to come in and help change that, but Augusta Commission members turned down a plan from Best Friends Animal Society on Tuesday.
The group would have provided the animal services agency with a veterinarian.
Commissioners turned it down to its all-or-nothing policy.
The interim city administrator said there could be challenges and legal concerns when it came to who would be responsible for the animals.
“The main reason is that it was presented as all or nothing, which would require Augusta to participate in every one of the services they’re promoting, one of which is staff-embedded program, which simply means Best Friends would have representatives,” said Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse.
Best Friends issued a statement Wednesday saying its offer was valued at close to $1 million.
Best Friends said the offer was devised to provide a holistic path to a 90% save rate for the shelter, vs. the current 53%.
The group says there’s still a chance for the offer to be approved at next week’s Augusta Commission meeting.
“The Augusta Commission now has an incredible opportunity to save the lives of dogs and cats and bring much-needed resources to the community at no cost to Augusta taxpayers,” said Gina Burrows with Best Friends Animal Society. “We just need the full commission to vote in our favor next week so we can begin to bring this much-needed help to the people and animals of Augusta.”
She encouraged the community to speak up and reach out to Augusta Commission members.
Best Friends Animal Society has come to Augusta on two occasions — once in 2018 and again in March, lobbying for a meeting with the shelter.
Data published on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website shows Augusta euthanized more dogs in April than any other shelter in the state.
The data also shows Augusta Animal Services constantly ranks the highest in the state in euthanizations.
SEE THE DATA:
Now, local groups want commissioners to take a second look.
Last year, Augusta Animal Services euthanized almost 1,500 dogs, ranking the worst in the state.
One local rescue group says those numbers should serve as a wake-up call to a community problem.
“When we have a well-renowned group that has money and funding and people that can help, you know, it’s like, why do we want to be recognized as the worst in the nation or the state or wherever, you know, why do we want to keep down that path when we could get some things in place?” said Kathy Ellis with Hands to Paws Rescue.
Best Friends was looking to put things in order. Augusta Animal Services says they were a responsibility problem.
From May 1, 2023, to the start of the new year, Augusta Animal Services put down on average 134 dogs a month.
And those numbers haven’t dipped.
In March, there were 133, and 143 in April.
Augusta Animal Services Director James Hill said: “We’re not going to put out animals for adoption to have behavior issues. Um, so that’s why we have to euthanize.”
Those numbers, rescues say are a reflection of everyone.
Ellis said: “We could increase space at the shelter, but the problem is still there. And that’s getting people to understand, they need to spay and neuter. And to understand, you know, that there’s help out there.”
Augusta Animal Services is still out of a veterinarian.
“The fact that animal control doesn’t have a vet that can provide their needs, you know, on a staff basis, like they used to have before is huge. I mean, that’s going to impact, you know, thoroughly checking out animals when they come in to determine if they’re, you know, medically able to be adopted out into the public,” said Ellis.
Ellis says drawing vets to Augusta is becoming harder to do over the years.
One of Best Friend’s stipulations was that they would provide a veterinarian.
The denial of their services will go to a full vote next week.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Downtown Augusta construction continues to impact businesses as work speeds up, with most of the activity centered around Broad Street.
Construction crews are working in the heat as they prepare to work on 6th and 5th streets later this month. Leaders expect construction to finish in December 2026.
But the World Cup could provide relief for businesses struggling with the construction impacts.
World Cup draws crowds downtown
A United States World Cup goal brought cheers from soccer fans gathered in downtown Augusta.
“It’s something I’ve been in love with since I was a kid,” said Sean Brandes, a soccer fan.
Brandes and Dean Meyer founded Augusta’s Premier League Supporters Club.
“Supporting the sport we love so much,” Meyer said.
David Jones was celebrating his World Cup run at the same venue. Jones coaches the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team and just returned from coaching the national over-40 team to third place in the Senior World Cup.
Local bar fosters soccer community
On Broad Street, Shawn Moseley opened Emil’s to foster the city’s small but passionate soccer community.
“Running the bar you see every day I have a Liverpool shirt on and someone’s like ‘oh.’ Or we have a match on, and they’re like ‘oh,’” Moseley said.
Moseley said the community makes Emil’s special. He hopes it grows with soccer on the nation’s main stage.
“You find a group, and you’re like, ‘Oh my friend Tony’s a Liverpool supporter,’ and next thing you know, you’ve got 30 people on an email list for a small bar in downtown Augusta,” Moseley said.
The bar serves as a gathering place for soccer fans across the area as the World Cup returns to American soil.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – An overturned tractor-trailer caused traffic delays on Interstate 20 near Jimmie Dyess Parkway.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the crash happened at 10:32 a.m.
Columbia County deputies and firefighters responded to the scene.
As of 11:20 a.m., deputies were directing traffic along the median wall, according to a news crew on scene.
By 12:20 p.m., all lanes were clear.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Following back-to-back state championships and the retirement of legendary coach Al Young, a new leader is taking over one of the premier girls basketball programs in South Carolina.
Scheraun King is just weeks into his tenure as head coach of the North Augusta girls basketball team, inheriting a program that has become synonymous with winning.
Despite being new to the position, King said his focus is on maintaining the championship standard that has been established while putting his own stamp on the program.
“I’m the new kid on the block, but I bet you I’m going to get the girls as best prepared as possible to continue on with the championships that have came before us,” said King.
King understands the expectations that come with leading the Yellow Jackets after decades of success under Courtney Cummings and Young.
“I know what’s in front of me,” said King. “I know it’s some very large shoes to fill with Coach Cummings and Coach Young coming before me with some state championships, so I’m here to make my own way and hopefully continue the pedigree that they left.”
The transition has brought change throughout the program.
Former underclassmen have stepped into leadership roles, while players work to adjust to a new coaching style.
“When we got the new coach, I was like, ‘He’s cool. He’s nice. He’s younger,” said senior player, Ashley Walker. “It’s very different, but I definitely like him.”
In the midst of summer ball, everyone is getting the hang of changing scenery.
“With Coach Young, it was like put your all in or nothing, but for right now, since it’s summer ball, we’re all trying to play together and build that chemistry,” said senior player, Tahj Flowers. “It’s just go day by day and try to get better.”
“He was telling us he’s very quiet, but when he comes to the court, he just opens up a lot,” said senior player, Jade Council. “I just feel like that will be better for us to get to know him since this is our first year with him.”
King grew up in Staten Island, New York, playing college ball at Albany State before serving as a graduate assistant on the coaching staff.
He then spent several years playing basketball overseas in Australia, Bolivia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Saudi Arabia.
His playing days brought him back to the U.S., where he began coaching middle school basketball, leading him to coach high school.
Now, he takes over the reins of a program seeking to extend its championship pedigree as a new era begins in the Yellow Jackets’ den.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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