Augusta, GA

Augusta animal shelter leads the state in killing dogs

Published

7 months ago

June 17, 2024

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.”

Larry and his mate show of their three babies

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.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

3 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

11 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

19 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

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