Live Oak animal control officers and other city officials are working hard to take stray and vicious animals off the street.

Live Oak Police Chief Buddy Williams reported at a City Council meeting July 10 that animal control picked up 110 animals last month, more than a 50 percent increase over the monthly average. Animal Control Officers Sally Roman and Marsha Grand usually collect an average of about 70 animals per month.

Williams said animal control is receiving the same number of calls — about 7-10 per day.

“We have more people and more resources,” he said.

The city recently hired Grand to assist Roman with the influx of calls.

The city council is also working to strengthen city animal control regulations. Council members have expressed a need for stiffer impoundment fees. At one recent committee meeting Councilman Don Boyette said he would like to see fees increase significantly. Currently, pet owners must pay $7 per day to claim their pets. The shelter will hold animals up to 72 hours before they are picked up, adopted or euthanized. Boyette suggested increasing fees to $50 for the first day, $35 the second day and $25 the third day.

Other plans in the works may include adding a spay and neuter program at the shelter and providing educational materials on the issue of pet over-population.

Officials are addressing the stray animal issue in response to numerous complaints and incidents of stray and vicious dogs attacking people as well as other animals.

• To complain about stray or vicious animals in the city or county, call the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office at 362-2222. For emergency matters only, dial 911.