Make your voice heard

March 23, 2012

Dear Editor:

Morgan County has an anti-tethering ordinance. It designates minimum dimensions for any dog that is housed in a pen of any type as its 24/7 living space. For dogs under 35 lbs., the minimum size is 100 square feet for two dogs. Dogs ranging from 35-60 lbs. have a minimum space requirement of 100 square feet per dog. Dogs from 60-100 lbs. require 150 square feet and over 100 lbs. requires a minimum of 240 square feet of space. The fine for non-compliance is a fee up to $100 and possible prosecution.

Our current Animal Control facility houses dogs in cells that provide 17.5 sq. ft. per dog regardless of their size. Those dogs that are seized by Animal Control due to neglect or abuse may live several months in this cramped space awaiting prosecution of their owner.

One dog currently being held as part of a seizure is 130 pounds and is housed in a 3 1/2’x5’ cell — a total of 17.5 square feet instead of 240 square feet. That has to be animal cruelty no matter how the term is defined. How is it that our county can require humane care of our citizens’ pets, but then practice animal cruelty themselves? Why aren’t the two commissioners who publicly claim these conditions as acceptable being charged with animal cruelty? Commissioners Stacy Dugan and Brad Close have chosen to turn down the offer to use the Humane Society’s facility for $1 per year.

Furthermore, they have refused to fund Animal Control appropriately to allow this type of abuse to end.
Instead, they raise the levy rate on our citizens and then did not designate any of this increased income to the county to address the suffering they are imposing on the dogs in our county’s custody.

If this information alarms you and you wish to stop animal cruelty practiced by our elected officials, make your voice heard. These poor dogs cannot voice their misery without your help. Call, write or email Commissioners Dugan and Close and demand they stop practicing animal cruelty now. Then tell them to close the Route 9 Kennels immediately.

Amy Lane
Berkeley Springs