Letter to the Editor
Abandoned dogs
Published Saturday, September 6, 2008
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To the editor:
In these days of high oil prices and burlesque political twists, it is hard to ask this community to care about a few abandoned skin-and-bone dogs at the Farmers Loop transfer site.
It started earlier in the summer when a dog and eight puppies were left there to starve. People rallied, left food and the pound finally caught them. Then followed a few more ... then, six weeks ago I saw a gaunt shadow roaming behind the Dumpsters for some morsels. I called the pound and deposited some food. Yesterday, I saw the same dogs again. I got some dog food from my truck but only one approached. She was so skinny; big eyes almost “eating” her whole face. I did not have a leash and did not want to scare her away from a much-needed meal, but I was able to extend my hand and almost touch her. However, the light-colored dog stayed in the woods and I only got one glimpse of him.
Six weeks after I called the pound, these dogs are still there! If I was able to approach so easily, how come professional dogcatchers can’t do it! I know they are busy, but no excuse; these dogs that have been left to starve so long are a priority.
How many are they? May be more than two. Their shyness keeps them away; they often come out at night when fewer people are there. I always saw them in the middle of the day ... well within the animal shelter working hours!
Cold weather is coming. If they can’t be caught, then they might be better shot than painfully alive. Please, help, call the pound, deposit food, try to catch them if you know how.
There is a sign at transfer sites, which I was hoping was more of a preventive than a statement derived from actual facts that reads: “You might think your animals are disposable, but they are not trash” ... but the people who do abandon them to starve are.
Community Discussion
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Its simply a travesty that someone would abandon their pets in that manner. As a pet owner, I cannot see how it would ever justify giving an animal basically a death sentence. How does the Humane Society justify leaving those animals out there for that long?! It is just disturbing.
This breaks my heart. In my small town I am often alerted to similar situations and go out of my way to try and catch such sad animals. I usually am successful however one dog eluded me for a year but finally someone caught her using her newborn pups as bait....and Im so happy she was apprehended after she lived for over 2 years wandering our town avoiding anyone and everyone until someone offered her food. Then she would faithfully wait for her dish of food at night but wouldnt allow anyone to touch her. she is spayed now and well fed. If I was in Fairbanks..you can bet I would be out there with a live Trap waiting. Are there NO OTHER people who like me would volunteer to do so? Surely in Fairbanks the size it is.. there is ONE or TWO people who will make it a goal to catch these dogs? Even if it means putting them down afterwards.
its hard ..trust me... I've had to do that for the sake of the dog..it hurts like crazy to do that to them..especially after they struggle to live and make it through extreme cold weather and no real food. It just doesnt seem fair.
I challenge the Dog enthusiasts in Fairbanks to band together and come up with a plan since the Dog Shelter doesnt seem to be trying very hard.
Please someone? care enough to make the efforts before snow falls.
Thankyou
Kathy Olding
Tok , Alaska
Babydoll_W, there is no humane society in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The animal control division is a public safety agency that is a division of the emergency operations department. Their primary mission is to protect the public from vicious or dangerous animals and that is the mission for which they are funded. All other services provded by animal control are 'extras' that are provided when the available time and funding allows. The mission of the animal control division is established by the borough assembly and obviously animal welfare is not a priority with our elected representatives.
Pet owners, there are several privately funded not-for-profit animal rescue organizations within the borough to whom you can relinquish unwanted pets without risk that they will be later euthanized. If you're reading this comment all you have to do is google up "animal rescue Fairbanks Alaska" and youll find contact information.
Let's remember that strays at dumpster station were not necessarily dumped. Borough residents are not always diligent about obeying the borough's leash and confinement ordinance and sometimes dogs escape regardless of how carefully one might try to confine them. To a dog running at large in the big wide world the smells of a dumpster station are almost as irresistable as the scent of a female dog in estrus (aka "heat").
Finally - for cryin' out loud spay or neuter your dogs and cats.
too cold here for domestic animals to live outside. better round them up and get them to the humaine society.
Again, the facility and services proved for the North Star Borough are provided by Animal Control. It is not a Humane Society and also not part of the ASPCA.
Regardless of WHO'S job it is.. and whether or not they are officiated to do the job and are or are not doing the job.. will SOMEONE just try to take the lead and make a plan to capture these poor dogs? I dont care whether they were abandoned..escaped...ran off.... or what have you... just rescue them please?
I can't believe that there isnt a GROUP of people willing to work together..its not hard... it would take people willing to wait and sit and take watches and rotate..but if you take a chain link kennel and set it up and place food in there.. the dogs will come and enter in over and over..then eventually you have a rope tied to the door and after they enter to get the food.. you Pull the door shut.. its an age old method I have used for smaller critters as well as dogs. It can work.. but perserverence will be needed and patience. Large live traps work well too..but it requires someone to watch them or they will probably just get stolen and believe me those babies are not cheap.. I wish I could afford to purchase at least 2 for our town for those instances.
Kathy Olding
Tok, Alaska
"The moral progress of a nation can be judged by the it treats it's animals." Ghandi
MrsS....who worked for animal control.
This is tragic and I would like to organize something to help these creatures. Visit me at alaskanshelpinganimals@gmail.com and the blog: http://alaskanshelpinganimals.blogspot.c...
Thankyou Alaskans_helping_animals person!!! I hope someone in Fairbanks will step up to the plate! :c)
If I lived up there I would......
Blessings
Weren't there reports of stray dogs at Farmers Loop that almost attacked some people. I would be careful around these dogs if I were you.
Sorry, Swanny, but you are mistaken about the responsibilities of our Department of Animal Control.
Among other responsibilities:
"6.12.010 Impoundment procedure.
A. Animals found running at large within the borough shall be taken up and impounded for not less than 72 hours, and if not claimed by the owner, shall be held for adoption or shall be euthanized in a humane manner as determined by the animal control officer and the local veterinary medical association."
Say we get the dog(s). Who will step up to foster?
As part of the effort referred to above by Alaskans_Helping_Animals, I would very much like to hear from people who have seen stray dogs at the transfer station recently: especially time of day seen and description of animal.
Please click on my name, above left, and email me directly.
Thanks!!
wow ya'll just noticed those dogs.They have been roaming the old steese highway close to fox all summer.I have called the pound and was told it was a wolf pack.Recently I have noticed a lose dog wereing a coller but it wont come anywhere near people.
The dogs caught earler this summer were roaming around up near fox.it seems to me that we have a fearl dog problum up here.And with the weather being as it is i'm worryed for the kids that live in these areas.Most kids are not scared of a dog even two or three dogs cause no fear in the young with bus stops all over and winter comeing its a matter of time before they attact someone.The big buff colored husky was pushing his luck just before spring animal control took him in a live trap.I'd like to know whos leaveing these dogs behind.There was a whole four weeks of no strays and then just before winter here they come.
ever notice if its an animal in need not meny ppls speak up but if its a matter of race or facts they land in droves?
When was the last sighting? Anyone know?
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