Animals are Sad Victims of Hard Times

[dawgmom]

As an animal lover, and in particular a dog lover, my heart is breaking over what I observed this past weekend during an 11 hour drive through Kentucky and West Virginia. I saw no less than seven dogs, most of them in a state of starvation, wandering along the roadside. Three of them had formed a pack. This is in line with something my brother told me about what people are doing in Kentucky. He is into trail-riding and owns several horses, and has witnessed a terrible thing there. People are unable to feed their horses, and are turning them loose in state parks. Kentucky and West Virigina contain some of the poorest areas in the country, so the downturn in the economy has hit even harder there -- but I know it won't be long before we will see the same thing across the country. I'm sure that most of the dogs were also turned loose by owners.

I am writing a letter to my local newspaper, begging people who cannot afford to keep their dogs to please turn them in to the local shelter, rather than just turning them loose in the country. In the wild, they either starve or die of thirst, as most don't know how to hunt and feed themselves, or they end up being shot by farmers (that's what happens where I live.) At least at a shelter, they have a chance at a new home. And if they are not adopted, as much as I hate the sad fact of euthenasia, it is ultimately more humane then leaving them to die a slow, lonely death. I am haunted by the images of those starving dogs wandering the highway. (And yes, I feel guilt that I didn't stop and try to help -- but I was afraid to take the risk of how the dogs would respond, and as I was alone, didn't feel I could take the risk.)

[Triana]

1. Question:

WHY oh WHY do the people in these states vote REPUBLICAN?

EDIT: Not to take away from your sentiment on the animals. I AGREE with you. The animals ought to be turned into the shelter - NOT set loose in parks or on roadsides. They are truely helpless victims.

[dawgmom]

2. Good Question

Excellent question. My brother had already warned me to take my Obama sticker off my vehicle before coming to Kentucky. This is the kind of redneck country where it is feasible that my car would have been vandalized.

By the way, I saw some of the most bone-crushing poverty I've ever seen as I was driving through some of the "hills and hollers" of Kentucky. I'm feeling very lucky today for all that I have.

[undeterred]

3. The animal shelters in large cities are reportedly

taking in hundreds more animals than usual and killing them faster because they do not have the space or money for them. People are surrendering their animals because they cannot afford to keep them.

[dawgmom]

4. Want to hear something truly disgusting?

When I picked up my dogs from the kennel, I told the owner what I had observed on my drive. She told me that she had taken this issue to the local shelter board, as there is apparently an emergency fund to help families who are having financial difficulties in keeping their dogs. She hit a brick wall; the board basically responded with "If they can't afford to feed their dogs then they shouldn't have one." She told a story of a family that had to surrender their dog after being evicted after foreclosure, and of the heartbroken children who had to say goodbye to a member of their family.

We're talking about forming a non-profit to raise funds for such situations, seeing as my Republican county is apparently cold-hearted on the issue.

[undeterred]

6. Some food pantries have pet food.

But I don't think people know that.

[dawgmom]

5. Want to hear something truly disgusting?

When I picked up my dogs from the kennel, I told the owner what I had observed on my drive. She told me that she had taken this issue to the local shelter board, as there is apparently an emergency fund to help families who are having financial difficulties in keeping their dogs. She hit a brick wall; the board basically responded with "If they can't afford to feed their dogs then they shouldn't have one." She told a story of a family that had to surrender their dog after being evicted after foreclosure, and of the heartbroken children who had to say goodbye to a member of their family.

We're talking about forming a non-profit to raise funds for such situations, seeing as my Republican county is apparently cold-hearted on the issue.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

7. My 87 year old dad was telling me

as a child, he remembers lots of loose dogs roaming around in packs - it was a common sight. So guess we've made some progress with spaying and neutering, but the puppy mills and backyard breeders don't help over population. But, Dawgmom, you were right not to load a strange dog into your car - very risky. But your post is haunting.....and appreciated.

[dawgmom]

8. Thank you..

Thank you for saying that. I know that driving on was the safe thing to do -- but I still feel guilty about it. I just can't get it out of my mind.