No understanding of abuse

As a reporter, wife, mother and Belmont resident, there are often interesting things that happen outside of news stories.

October 8th, 2009, 9:22 am · 2 Comments · posted by dturbyfill

I’ll never understand abuse - whether the victim is a person or an animal.

I went to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter Wednesday afternoon to meet a 2-year-old Shar Pei who had been through a lot.

The tall, hairless dog walked around with a level of confidence, despite her infected eyes, ears and skin that hung loosely over her visible ribs. But the animal had been through the worst of it. She survived a time of neglect, a surgery to remove dead puppies from her womb and treatment for her multiple infections

A kind-looking older lady waited on a bench outside Wednesday with a leash in hand, prepared to take the dog into her home for foster care.

A short sit down with Animal Services workers told a tale of a continuing battle against neglectful and abusive pet ownership. But Lincoln County is lucky. The administration running the shelter seems bent on fixing the problem. The key is education, according to Jack Kerley.

I believe him.

But I also believe that people who intentionally hurt animals are as bad as those who hurt children. I don’t know how you fix people like that. If Jack has his way, we’ll lock up the bad guys and put pets in the hands of kind, capable people.

Good luck, Jack. I’m behind you all the way.

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2 Comments

Lisa Harper says:

October 9, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Lincoln County does not have many ordinances including rabies/tag like Gaston. I sometimes wonder if this were the law there, maybe we would not see as much abuse. There are other ordinances Lincoln County is lacking as well. My twin sister could give you a run down. She lives in Iron Station by the way. Great article.
Lynne says:

October 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Just to let you know Lincoln County does not have enforcement here for “rabies shots” on animals. I have never lived in a County that enacts laws but refuses to enforce the ones they do have. At any given time you can ride through our subdivision and see dogs laying in the middle of the road with NO COLLAR or any other ID.

We have rescued (3) cats in the last 3 years that were apparently dropped off here or just were homeless to begin with and found us to take them in.

We are getting a new Shelter and I pray that those who have animals will educate themselves to be better pet owners especially for those who are forced to live outside.

Mr. Kerley is doing a fantastic job at the Animal Shelter and I thank you for writing this article.

Lisa Harper says:

October 9, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Lincoln County does not have many ordinances including rabies/tag like Gaston. I sometimes wonder if this were the law there, maybe we would not see as much abuse. There are other ordinances Lincoln County is lacking as well. My twin sister could give you a run down. She lives in Iron Station by the way. Great article.

Lynne says:

October 9, 2009 at 2:00 pm

Just to let you know Lincoln County does not have enforcement here for “rabies shots” on animals. I have never lived in a County that enacts laws but refuses to enforce the ones they do have. At any given time you can ride through our subdivision and see dogs laying in the middle of the road with NO COLLAR or any other ID.

We have rescued (3) cats in the last 3 years that were apparently dropped off here or just were homeless to begin with and found us to take them in.

We are getting a new Shelter and I pray that those who have animals will educate themselves to be better pet owners especially for those who are forced to live outside.

Mr. Kerley is doing a fantastic job at the Animal Shelter and I thank you for writing this article.

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As a reporter, wife, mother and Belmont resident, there are often interesting things that happen outside of news stories.