My name is Janet Walls, stepmother of Mark Walls. I just wanted to thank you for publishing the article on Mark's feathered friend. We joke him about being a celebrity now. He was very happy about the article. We thought that the article was very well done. Thanks once again and we hope you have a great weekend!
Mark, Janet and Bobby Walls
Andersonville
I would be very appreciative of someone that can assist me with my rights as a homeowner when it comes to my property. For years now I have had several problems with my neighbor’s dogs (Rottweilers and pit bulls). In the beginning we brushed it off as a close call when the dogs would come onto our property or chase our visitors. There was an instance where their Rottweiler chased our painter in our yard; it chased my mother-in-law while she was visiting. On several occasions where I have returned home with my kids and was unable to get out of the car because the dogs would stand in my yard and bark at us until the police or animal control arrived 15 to 20 minutes later. There was an instance where I walked to my mailbox and on my way back to the house, both the pitbull and the Rottweiler ran towards me; I froze. The pitbull jumped up on me and the Rottweiler made several circles around me until the teenage neighbor came on their porch and called them back. I could only imagine what would have happened if one of my children had checked the mailbox that day.
One of the pitbulls chewed through another neighbor’s privacy fence and attacked their dog. One of the Rottweilers was burned in their utility house that caught fire.
Just recently my 10-year-old did check the mailbox and yes my neighbor’s pitbull chased him all the way back up to the house through bushes and flower beds. My son jumped up on the back of my husband’s truck and the pitbull proceeded to stand there and bark at him aggressively. The adult dog owner came out of the house and assured my son and husband that the dog would not bite. I have one question: did the dog tell her that? I don’t know much about animals, but I don’t think they think things through or are remorseful for what’s in their nature.
From my understanding there is a leash law here in Americus; unfortunately it has not been enforced during neither of the 10-12 occasions that we have called the Americus Police Department about these dogs.
The reason I am writing this letter is because my husband was under our garage adding new locks to the back door and the dog came under the garage barking at him viciously. I am seven months pregnant and was lying down when the barking sounded as if it was in the house. I became terrified when I got up to see that our back door was standing wide open and my husband was attempting to protect himself with a hammer. The dog would not move; the dog stayed under our garage and barked at my husband until the teenage neighbor called him back.
My husband called 911 and the dispatcher told him to either call her back when the dog bites him or call animal control at 8:30 the next morning. I am so frustrated because I am pretty much being told by law enforcement that until someone is attacked by these vicious dogs, there is nothing they can do. I really would like to stop it before it gets to the extreme of my family being mutilated or killed by a dog because of the owner’s negligence and irresponsibility.
I pay a mortgage every month, but I am a prisoner in my own home because of these dogs. I am afraid to let my kids go out and play in the yard.
What rights do I have? Do I have the right to shoot the dog when it’s on my property? Do I have the right to contact their homeowner’s insurance? Do I have right to have the dog removed because of the owner’s negligence in keeping the dog on a leash and on their property?
Tyeesiah Harris
Americus
To Sumter County businesses and organizations:
The state of Georgia requires every student to read one million words each year. Americus-Sumter County High School South has created an incentive program to help our students achieve this goal. These incentives cannot be purchased without the sponsorship of area businesses and organizations; therefore, the teachers of Americus-Sumter County High School are asking your consideration in sponsoring this worthy cause. Increasing reading competency within our community not only allows for higher graduation rates, but insures the future success of our community in Sumter County.
In return for your sponsorship, your business or organization will be listed in area newspapers and around our school along with the pictures of each month’s winners. Americus-Sumter County High School believes the community should be aware of our positive accomplishments, and each time we meet our goals with this program your business or organization will get the kudos you deserve. Contributions can be sent to the address above. Please make all checks payable to Americus-Sumter County High School South (ASHS-South).
Some businesses have agreed to monthly sponsorship; please specify if you would like to do the same. If you should have any questions, you may contact Uvonda Goines at ugoines@sumterschools.org or Gloria Askew gaskew@sumterschools.org. You may also contact either of us through the school at 924-3653. Thank you in advance for your consideration in sponsoring this worthy cause.
Americus-Sumter County High School teachers
