Editorial: Dog days

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, October 26, 2005

While not overwhelming, the change is noticeable: there are more dogs running around our towns than last spring. Some are just out for a stretch-of-the-legs without an owner attached. Others are on their own, scraping out an existance. Some are just plain scared and lonesome.

We think that the absence of an animal control officer is one reason why we see the increase in stray animals in the area. The position was eliminated by the county commissioners due to budget cuts in June, a tough choice, among others, they were forced to make in the face of shrinking revenue. The position should be reinstated.

In a few short months, the need to have a trained and properly equipped animal control officer has become evident. The number of loose animals is up. As we note in some detail elsewhere in this issue, six “dog as public nuisance” complaints are waiting to be heard in circuit court, a very inefficient use of court time.

The sheriff said that his officers are really not prepared to handle scared and/or aggressive dogs. A patrol car is not the vehicle of choice when one needs to transport an animal, assuming it’s been corralled without injury either to the animal or “arresting” officer. Even if capture and transport are successfully completed, there’s no one to care for the animal at the county’s holding facility.

Obviously, the job is better handled by a trained professional with the right equipment. Somehow, the county should find $30,000 for the position, thereby providing a valuable service to the community.