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Georgia: A Heartwarming Story By: Laura Hearn Oconee County Animal Control Bishop, GA I have been with Oconee County Animal Control for over five years and this story stands out more than any other. This one goes in the win column for the Pit Bull Terrier breed. “Georgia,” an owned Pit Bull, got off of her chain and was struck by a car in a busy intersection. Animal Control was called by a woman who found Georgia in her yard. Due to financial difficulties and other issues, Georgia was surrendered to Oconee County Animal Control. Many owner surrendered dogs are euthanized due to space or behavior problems and almost all injured animals are euthanized to stop their suffering. Because of the stigma associated with the breed, Pit Bulls are very hard to adopt out and are usually euthanized. There were so many obstacles working against Georgia. On Georgia’s first visit to the shelter, she touched my heart in a way only few animals do. I knew when she returned her fate wasn’t good but I knew I had a small chance to save her. After taking Georgia to the vet, we got the bad news that her leg needed to be amputated and she had heartworms. The total for the required procedures was estimated at $700. Expenses like these are not factored into any county’s budget. The news upset me and I got really down but I never gave up. I had only a few hours to get enough donations for her surgery or she would be put down. I got on the phone and, within an hour or so, one lady donated $300, another sent $75, and another $150. ---PAGE BREAK--- We sent Georgia to the vet to start the pre-surgery work needed. Within twenty four hours, we had eight hundred dollars donated and Georgia now had a chance. I took a big sigh of relief, but she still needed to have the heartworm treatment and somewhere to go after surgery. It was time for the telephone again. I called one of my reliable rescue groups and the woman on the other end of the phone said, “Give me a day and I will see what I can do.” The next morning, with my fingers crossed, I took a phone call and it was good news – Georgia had a place to go, a place where she could live her life. Today, Georgia is running, playing, and enjoying life with many other unwanted and special needs dogs at a sanctuary in Tallahassee, Florida. Being an Animal Control Officer is a hard job but, when you get a community of animal lovers together, everything is possible. Because six people and one dog loving rescue group took the time to care, Georgia will live and enjoy the rest of her life with three legs.