Neglected animals still a problem

By By William F. West / community editor
Nov. 26, 2002
Dewayne Sosebee said one of his goals next year will be getting a Lauderdale County ordinance on the books to stop people from abandoning animals at garbage dumpsters.
Sosebee, the county's animal control director, said that between late January and the end of October, he and his officers picked up 113 cats and dogs at dumpsters.
One of Sosebee's officers, Harold Null, said it doesn't have to be that way. He said people can bring cats and dogs to the animal shelter at 501 Cooper Ave.
Sosebee said the city has an ordinance against such actions, with a judge having discretion in imposing punishment.
Null said the problem, though serious, has improved since the city of Meridian and Lauderdale County teamed up in the animal control effort.
Asked how many animals had been left at dumpsters in past years, Null said, "Oh, boy, we had a couple of hundred, probably."
Anyone with information about animals at dumpsters is urged to telephone the shelter at 485-1849.