From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: When a dog boarding facility opened this winter across the street from Kosam Ruamyarti's townhouse on Chatt
From the Chattanooga Times Free Press: When a dog boarding facility opened this winter across the street from Kosam Ruamyarti’s townhouse on Chattanooga’s Southside, he and his girlfriend were disturbed by the dogs barking and staff yelling during the early morning hours, he said.
He called the business to complain but the noise problem continued, so Ruamyarti reached out to McKamey Animal Center, the nonprofit organization that provides animal control services for the city of Chattanooga.
While researching city codes related to barking dogs, Ruamyarti discovered businesses that operate kennels are required to have a kennel permit.
He also discovered the body that grants kennel permits, the city’s Animal Control Board, no longer exists.
According to the city of Chattanooga’s code of ordinances, Article XVI, Section 7-380, “The purpose of requiring a kennel permit is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public and companion animals and to preserve the right of all property owners to the quiet enjoyment of their property through the effective regulation of kennels.”
According to city code, the “Animal Center” – which refers to McKamey Animal Center, the nonprofit organization the city contracts with to provide animal control services – processes applications, conducts inspections, collects fees and grants animal-related permits.
The director of the animal center should provide a list of permit applicants at the next meeting of the city’s Animal Control Board, which is tasked with voting to approve, disapprove or revoke animal-related permits following a hearing, city code states.
However, the city’s Animal Control Board, which according to city code comprises nine volunteers appointed by each member of the City Council, no longer exists.
The board has been inactive for nearly eight years, city spokeswoman Kirsten Yates said by email.
“The city funds McKamey Animal Center for animal control services — they received $1.92 million in FY23 — and as a part of that work, they are responsible for inspecting kennel businesses, enforcing regulations and investigating related complaints,” Yates said.
But when Ruamyarti contacted McKamey about the business, he was told the organization does not issue kennel permits.
“McKamey Animal Center does not issue permits or licenses for any animal-related businesses, nor do we perform inspections of those types of facilities,” McKamey Director of Advancement Lauren Mann said by email. “There is provision in the City Ordinance for an Animal Control Board that would be responsible for conducting those activities, but there is no such board currently in existence.”
Ruamyarti said he went to the City Council, where members were aware of the problem and receptive to his concerns.
He said by phone that as a citizen and dog owner, he is concerned that without an Animal Control Board, customers of dog day care and boarding facilities have no recourse when regulations concerning such businesses are not followed.
“I feel like people are not aware that is no Animal Control Board, so if there is a case where animals get hurt or get injured or worse … there’s no one to help the customer,” he said. “McKamey is limited to how they can control how the kennel runs, so it comes down to the welfare of the animal as well as the public.”
The boarding business, GoDog Chattanooga, did not respond Monday to a phone message requesting comment.
