To be taken from a cage, lonely and terrified, and shot point blank (four dogs and four cats) is not what comes to mind when I hear the words Houston Animal Protection and Safety Shelter. How could something like this happen, especially at an official level, in our society? It’s a disgrace.
One would like to think that those responsible for defenseless animals, as members of an elected, civilized town government would go to extents to avoid such an inhumane, frightening end for the domestic pets (though sadly former they may be) in its care. However, rescue groups like the ASPCA were not informed about the animal’s impending doom until it was too late. Everyone had already been shot. This comes directly on the heels of the Dillingham shelter’s despicable neglect of six animals in its care, all were found dead, some partially cannibalized, six weeks later when someone finally thought to check on them. These animals have no choice but to rely on us for their welfare and we are supposed to be a civilized society.
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I am a long-time Alaskan, but I am not willing to accept the plea that just because this is the way it’s done in the backcountry of necessity only, it is the way it should be done in suburban Alaska. There are options for peaceful euthanasia and maybe even better, that of having a happy and loyal home through rescue organizations.
To Evelyn Rohr, the volunteer who managed to save six or seven cats before the massacre, I commend you. And to the shelter staff that refused to carry out the orders from higher up, i.e. shoot eight animals, I commend you as well for thinking for yourselves, and beyond yourselves.
There is a town meeting in Houston on Thursday at City Hall, 7pm. Such an act of violence toward the most defenseless charges of our society, our homeless (former) pets, should spark a public outcry. These pets have a right, at the very minimal, to a peaceful termination of their suffering. Let Houston officials know that we can do better for the dogs and cats in our care than a bullet to the brain, one-by-one, in the 21st century.
And lets not forget, these animals are a product of our own carelessness; for goodness sake people spay and neuter your animals. I shudder to think of another hapless creature being left at the mercy of Houston public officials.
Holly Thorssin
Knik
Comments
5 comment(s)alaska sandy girl wrote on Feb 11, 2010 9:17 PM:
vet tech wrote on Feb 10, 2010 10:39 PM:
I am a vet tech and due euthanasias on a regular basis. These animals go peacefully. The is no aint pretty about it and we always let the owners sit with the animals when we do it. You should not speak about something you know nothing about. "
Back to Reality wrote on Feb 9, 2010 6:06 PM:
Get real, Mr. Reality! "
Dear Reality wrote on Feb 8, 2010 6:09 AM:
Mr. Reality wrote on Feb 7, 2010 2:34 PM: