Cherokee County’s Animal Control Officer Dustin Dutton has been a busy man lately, but that’s not necessarily a good thing.

County Administrator Tim Burgess, during a recent county commission work session, spoke about the need for some new directives to deal with the ever increasing amount of animals being picked up.

Last month, around 200 animals were picked up.  That’s more than in Etowah County.

About 50-percent of the cost is related to feral cats.

Burgess says Dutton recently received his certification and has been talking to animal control officers from other counties about what can be done.

Most of the animals being picked are owner-surrenders.

Burgess says that issue will also have to be addressed.

Burgess stressed he is not talking about a leash law or an animal control ordinance but rather directives from the commission that the animal control officer can use.

Of course, the best way to prevent the overpopulation of pets is for citizens to make sure their cats and dogs are spayed and neutered.