Robert Smalley: Animal-control cop

Smalley, with King, a pit bull available for adoption at www.fultonanimalservices.com

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

Fulton County Animal Control officer Robert Smalley doesn’t just catch dogs. He’s a member of law enforcement. He writes tickets, which can even lead to prison time.

How long have you been in animal control?

Twenty years.

How did you get started?

I was impressed when watching animal-control officers handle coyotes and bears in California. I lived there at the time. So, when I moved to Atlanta, I answered an ad.

Have you ever seen a dogfight?

Yes, evidence of dogfights. They disperse when they know we’re coming. I look for scarring, scratching, their demeanor and animal behavior. … There is a lot of dogfighting in Atlanta. In northwest and southeast Atlanta especially, mostly in the city, because of the income and they can hide them.

What type of animal behavior do you see?

They cower, do not look at you. One’s been doing it a lot will charge — no warning.

Why do they cower?

They aren’t aggressive. The owners can’t use them for fighting so they beat them, and throw them in the street if they don’t kill them. The dogs live in deplorable conditions, low-income housing. They can’t pay their rent, can’t feed their families, but are taking care of the dogs. If the dogs are abused, there is abuse in the home; beating their wives or their children.