By Linda Pannell and Harvey Bateman — letters to the editor
This letter is in response to the letter we just read about animal regulations by Melinda Young. Thank you! We were so glad to see that letter, although we said, “That letter should be printed on the front page in bold letters.”
I remember when the law of spaying and neutering went into effect a few years back. I mentioned it to people who had just had a batch of puppies and didn”t know what to do. It amazed me how many people didn”t know about the law. Are they that blind? Or maybe they just don”t read. That law is to prevent unwanted puppies and kittens, which usually end up getting dumped somewhere. How can people be so cruel? But, then, there are those people who really don”t care. Those same people are the ones who let their animals run the streets. Let me ask these people a question. Do you even care about that animal? Why have a pet at all, if you”re just going to let it run. I”d be afraid it would get hit by a car, or shot by a mad neighbor. Do you not care?
Yes, an animal that spends a lot of time with its owners is healthier. We have a very healthy dog and a cat because they have a lot of human contact with us. We play every day with them. They are well loved and well taken care of and they get vet care when needed.
Animals are a lot of responsibility. They are not an ornament. If you can”t handle that, then don”t own one. And if you abandon an animal, that, in our eyes, is like abandonment of a child. Please follow all the animal regulations that Melinda described and protect your pet. They will show you unconditional love. That is a huge reward.
Linda Pannell
Harvey Bateman
Clearlake
