DNR on city pest ordinance: Hold your fire

In fact, they must get the state permit before the city issues a permit.

“Before the city issues permits to lethally control any Georgia wildlife species, persons are asked to contact my office for issuance of a nuisance wildlife control permit prior to any control activities being conducted,” said Ken Riddleberger, region supervisor, in an email to the Commerce Police Department.

Riddleberger explained that DNR will issue permits “after we consult with the person having the problem in order to offer a variety of solutions for a specific problem. Quite often these solutions do not involve lethal control.”

The city council passed the ordinance in March, offering a permit under which residents could shoot certain firearms at “animal pests” inside the city limits. The ordinance was aimed primarily at squirrels, which have become a nuisance in some neighborhoods. Police Chief John Gaissert said ammunition allowable would be limited to air guns with pellets smaller than .22 caliber, .410 shotguns and .22 caliber rat shot.

The DNR position is a new wrinkle.

“They would need something to show they have met the requirements at the state level before we could issue our permit,” said Lt. Wes Donaldson, who is administering the permits.

That puts the “six or seven” permits already issued in a legal limbo. The police department is awaiting word from Riddleberger as to whether those should be rescinded pending issuance of the DNR permit.

Additionally, the department has amended its policy for issuing permits. It will no longer accept the state firearms permit in lieu of a criminal background check. All applicants will undergo a background check, Donaldson said.

For information regarding the DNR permit, contact Riddleberger at 770-535-5700.