A Georgia man and his wife received an animal limitation waiver to save a dog with heartworms that city leaders said faced euthanasia.
WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — City leaders in Warner Robins have approved a key waiver allowing a disabled Navy veteran and his wife to exceed the Georgia city’s animal limit and take in a medically-needy rescue dog that had been at risk of euthanasia.
The vote followed a public hearing where city officials reviewed whether Zachary and Tiffany Novak met requirements under city code to receive an animal limitation waiver, which allows residents to exceed Warner Robins’ limit of six animals on a residential property.
Under city code, residents are limited to six animals unless mayor and council approve an exception. City Administrator James Drinkard told the council the Novaks currently have six animals and requested permission to increase that number to seven.
For the Novaks, the request was personal.
“In our family over many of the years, we have discovered that my wife and I cannot have kids and that our animals have become our kids,” Zachary Novak said.
Novak, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran, told the city council his animals help him manage PTSD, while his wife deals with ongoing medical challenges.
“Myself, being a disabled United States Navy veteran, they really help with my PTSD,” Novak said. “As well, my wife was diagnosed with an aggressive version of multiple sclerosis. When that happened to her, her life turned upside down.”
The animal limitation waiver centered around a dog named Amir, a husky mix at Warner Robins Animal Control. City officials said the dog has heartworms and medical needs requiring treatment. During the meeting, city staff said if the waiver was denied, the dog could face euthanasia.
Novak said learning about Amir through local rescue channels motivated the family to step in.
“I feel everything in itself from the smallest creature to even the largest one has a right to live and at least have a chance,” Novak said. “That’s what we want to give them the opportunity.”
The family told us they plan to pick up Amir and begin veterinary treatment.
“Even going through the process of doing the heartworm medications, it’s very hard on the animal, and there’s no guarantee for the survival, but without us intervening, the animal would have no chance,” Novak said.
City officials also cited the Novaks’ history as responsible pet owners, noting no nuisance complaints had been tied to their property. Attorney Jim Himes told the council the request met requirements under city code and noted it was only the second animal limitation waiver application considered in 11 years.
“It was a favorable outcome,” Novak said after the vote. “It didn’t have to be, but I still appreciate their time.”