The state of Georgia has never had an “official” dog— until this coming Tuesday. The designation simply goes to “the adoptable dog.”
House Bill 561 by state Rep. Joe Wilkinson, R-Sandy Springs, recognizes the thousands of dogs currently available for adoption in Georgia animal shelters, humane societies and private rescue groups. The “official dog” designation is also meant to promote animal rescue and adoption.
Senate Bill 168 was the vehicle used to pass Wilkinson’s bill on the last day of the 2016 session. Wilkinson, in an email to InsiderAdvantage says it will be signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. Wilkinson further says in the email:
“HB 561 passed the House 172-0 but stalled in the Senate. Sen. Burt Jones of Jackson suggested that I amend his bill which designated the
Old State Capitol in Milledgeville as an “official” house to include my Adoptable Dog Act. … Burt Jones saved the day while Sen. Bill Heath and Sen. Ellis Black did all they could to block it. Evidently Black breeds bulldogs for sale.
“Georgia was founded as an English colony to give Europeans a ‘second chance’ at life. I felt that any dog that needs a home was a worthy symbol.
“Georgia cities, counties and shelters take in 500,000 stray animals a year. It cost $10 to $40 a day to house them. Do the math and you will see that adopting more animals will save millions of dollars each year. It is estimated that the publicity from this bill, which was introduced last year, has already saved in the millions of dollars and will do so every year.”
