ATLANTA — Fulton County is suspending its animal control services with Atlanta Friday and city leaders are responding.
Chairman Robb Pitts held a news conference Friday afternoon saying the county has been operating out of good faith efforts for more than three months without a signed intergovernmental agreement in place with the city for animal services.
"In the absence of a signed intergovernmental agreement with any city, we do not have authority to provide animal control services inside such city," he said. "If we continue to do so, we are exposing ourselves to liability."
According to Pitts, the county notified each of the 15 cities in Fulton last summer to let them know about changes in fees that would occur. By October, Pitts said, the city was given the agreement for signature. Pitts said the other 14 cities signed their agreements that had increases that reflected their usage and costs. However, the city of Atlanta still has not.
"Therefore, as of today, April 5, at 5 p.m., responsibility for animal services within the City of Atlanta will revert to the City of Atlanta," Pitts said.
Pitts called it a difficult decision. However, he said the city has left them with no other option. He said about 55% of all of their calls come from the City of Atlanta.
"The new service agreements were to take effect Jan. 1, 2024," he said. "Now we're more than three months past that deadline and have continued providing these services in the City of Atlanta in good faith, believing that an agreement would be signed."
He said despite repeated reminders that they would cease services, "the city's failure to take action brings us to today."
However, in a response Friday afternoon, the City of Atlanta claimed county leaders "reneged' on a tentative agreement reached Thursday. They claimed the county made an "about-face" turn that "reeks of political maneuvering" and jeopardizes the safety of residents.
The statement also called out other issues, implying that the city would not react in the same manner when it's operating under "good faith" negotiations.
"We would not risk endangering the welfare of people or animals while negotiating in good faith to resolve these issues. We expect the same professionalism and care for our citizens and animals from the county," the statement reads.
In the meantime, city leaders said they're working to identify emergency services that can care for the animals. They said residents can call 311 for assistance until this matter is resolved.
Pitts mentioned in his news conference earlier in the day that if the county receives a signed agreement, Pitts said they would reconsider restoring the services.
To read the full statement from the City of Atlanta, visit the city's website. Pitts' full remarks an be viewed here.