By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Five of the seven Barren County Fiscal Court Magistrates gave first approval to the revised county animal control ordinance.
Animal Control Officer Shelley Furlong and Glasgow Police Chief Guy Howie spoke on the ordinance during the Jan. 20 Barren County Fiscal Court meeting.
“First of all, what’s important [to understand] is that this is strictly a complaint-driven ordinance,” Howie said. “Your animal control officers are not out riding around the county looking for stray dogs…they don’t have time to do that with how many calls they get.”
“This is not a leash law. There is no leash law anywhere in this ordinance,” he added.
In 2025 the county had 1,484 calls for service, according to Howie. Calls for service are “still going up” in 2026, Howie said.
Glasgow-Barren County Animal Control is within the Glasgow Police Department.
Barren County Attorney Mike Richardson said this ordinance was “long overdue,” and explained to the seven magistrates what the new ordinance — which repeals the “bare bones ordinance” the county previously had, according to Richardson — changes.
The ordinance adds some definitions, defines impoundment and seizure procedures, adds animal and livestock running at large, and sets fine amounts, according to Richardson.
The magistrates agreed to vote on the ordinance. Magistrates Derek Pedigo and Tim Durham voted no with Durham saying he’ll likely vote in favor on the next reading, but wanted to answer some of his constituents’ questions first.
Furlong and Howie told Magistrate Tim Coomer that they supported the ordinance.
As with all ordinances, this one will need two readings before it will take effect. Barren County Judge-Executive Jamie Bewley Byrd said the second reading will likely take place on Feb. 17.
“This is not sudden,” Richardson said. “This has been in the works for some time. We have an animal control board that’s had several committee meetings on this.”
The complete ordinance can be read here.
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