BY LISA STAYTON
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — A plea born of loss and frustration went unanswered Thursday in the Martin County Fiscal Court meeting. Beauty resident Cathy Fitzpatrick Sparks, standing before the county government, grieved for beloved dog Henry. Two days earlier, Henry was killed in a violent attack by a pit bull that wandered onto her property.

Sparks became tearful as she held up photographs of her trusted companion.

“He was attacked in the driveway on his own land,” she said, her voice breaking. “His name was Henry.”

Sparks described Henry as a gentle, non-aggressive family pet.

“He went to church with us,” she explained. “Most of the time, when we came out of church, he would be sitting there listening.”

The pit bull that killed Henry lives on Poplar Fork, a mile from Sparks’ home on Jake Perry Road.

Sparks’ pain was evident as she addressed the court, calling for action on what she described as a widespread problem: aggressive dogs roaming freely, incessant barking that disturbs people’s sleep, and strays scavenging through garbage.

“We need to do something to help pet owners who have to go through the torture of losing their pets, and people who lose sleep because the dog next door is chained up or starving or thirsty and just howling and barking and keeping people awake,” Sparks implored. “I’m asking the court to step up and help us do something for our community.”

Her message was clear: The county must adopt an ordinance that makes dog owners responsible, prohibits them from allowing their dogs to roam freely and holds them accountable.

“Those owners need to step up,” she said. “If their dog attacks another dog, they need to be responsible for that. All of this—not just stray dogs and the issues at the shelter—needs to be included in an ordinance.”

Assistant Martin County Attorney Lynette Muncy suggested a homeowners’ insurance claim could address damages. Sparks’ reply was resolute.

“I understand,” Sparks said. “But there’s no money that’s going to give you back the comfort that you’ve lost.”

A call for accountability

Sparks envisions an ordinance that would empower the sheriff to act decisively. The ordinance would require owners unable or unwilling to control their dogs to confine them. If necessary in the case of aggressive animals, require them to euthanize them humanely, she said.

“The sheriff should be able to go to these people and say, ‘This is not allowed,’” Sparks added.

Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty expressed condolences but pointed to logistical hurdles. The county’s animal shelter has just eight kennels, he said, and they are perpetually full.

“When we get the call for the ninth dog, we have nowhere to put it,” Lafferty admitted. “Legally, we can’t take possession of it if we don’t have a place to put it.”

Sheriff John Kirk echoed Sparks’ frustration.

“We need a leash law,” Kirk said bluntly.

‘Everybody needs to be responsible’

Kirk proposed a licensing system—$8 to $10 per dog annually—to fund the shelter. He also suggested collars or microchips to identify dog owners, alongside a $20 retrieval fee for stray pickups.

“Either they pick it up or they lose their dog,” Kirk said. “Everybody needs to be responsible for their pets. I know this is not popular with some hunters, but it’s the right thing to do.”

Kirk identified the pit bull’s owner but said he cannot act without a leash law.

“There isn’t a lot I can do about the dog that attacked,” Kirk said. “I can talk to these people and ask them to keep their dog home, but I can’t force them.”

The sheriff noted he receives numerous calls daily and weekly about animals.

“But without some type of ordinance, my hands are tied,” he said.

Frustration and futility

Lafferty pledged to explore an ordinance with the county attorney but warned of delays.

“It takes a while to put an ordinance together,” he said.

Magistrates Ronald Workman and Cody Slone assured Sparks that the county attorney would review her request. Slone noted that residents should be able to defend their property against intrusive animals.

Sparks quickly interjected: “It’s not just the harm. It’s the noise. It’s also the garbage.”

Sparks’ son, Thomas Fitzpatrick, presented a video recorded on Christmas Day capturing relentless barking from a neighbor’s dog.

“The dog barked for nine hours straight,” Sparks said.

Muncy said she could look into ordinances in other localities. However, she stated the issue would come down to the fiscal court having the political will to enact an ordinance. She again suggested a lawsuit against the dog owner would be a deterrent.

“I realize there’s no law for it,” Sparks stated, letting the court know that she understands the situation. “I realize you can sue somebody. And I realize it’s up to the court. That’s why I’m here asking the court to do an ordinance—so that we have an avenue for when it happens.”

The court took no action, so the issue remains unresolved for Sparks. She left the government center without answers.