Captain Jack is one of the many stray dogs who was rescued and is being fostered by Coco's Cupboard.
Animal control issues discussed
Around 30 residents attended a Saturday, Oct. 6 workshop on animal control and many issues and suggestions were raised. The issue was briefly discussed again at the Wednesday, Oct. 10 commission meeting. Commissioners voted unanimously to designate county manager Mike Phillips to gather information, research facts on starting an animal control facility and update them on animal control at every meeting.
Irresponsible pet owners will use the shelter to dump animals. Charging a fee to take the animal isn't going to help much, either, because the people that can't afford to pay the fee, or just don't want to pay it, will dump the animals like they do now.
Another problem is this: Will it be a kill or no-kill shelter? If it's a kill shelter, you're open to all kinds of legal issues. We'll need to retain an attorney to deal with lawsuits, too.
If it's a no-kill shelter, where will the food, the volunteers to work with the animals, the excess animals when the shelter capacity is reached?
These questions are hard to answer.
That is not leadership, it is power by greed. We can do better for the animals and better for citizens through holding these default mayors, council members, city managers and police chiefs to the duties they threw their hats in for. Government is no longer the good ole boy game. Executive titles no longer work for citizens. Insurance programs, equipment use, fuel logs, travel benefits require a second review by taxed to death citizens.
We can do better as citizens and working together as a team. Ask questions.
PSA #2: Did you know that your dog should be either:
1) In an enclosure if left alone
or
2) With you, if outdoors and not on a leash.
PSA #3: Your dog is your responsibility. If you let your dog go outdoors alone and it leaves your property YOU are still the one that is responsible for its actions. Whether it kills someone else's pet, or is killed by someone else's pet, you are responsible.
Some common sense: Your pet does not understand the law. It's up to you to keep yoru pet safe and away from danger. If you can't do that, you don't need a pet.
People who go to work and leave a pet outdoors all day to fend for itself, then come home at the end of the day and the dog is there waiting for them have the idea that the dog stayed in the yard all day. That's rarely the case.