Rather than let stray dogs stay in a run down shelter, the mayor of Helena-West Helena, Arkansas has decided to release the dogs into nearby St. Francis National Forest.
The move came in response to complaints by people that animals were not being properly cared for in the shelter. The mayor decided the dogs would be better off fending for themselves in the forest.
The city shelter had been running a temporary shelter from a fenced-in outdoor area at the city sanitation department.
Earlier this week, ten dogs were fed, watered, and then released into the forest.
The mayor said $50,000-$60,000 would be needed to open a new shelter.
Source: Associated Press
K9 Commentary:
I understand many cities are struggling with budget cuts, and as a result, services such as animal control are being cut–however, THIS is not the way to handle it. Releasing a domesticated animal into a forest is like sending it to its death. The dogs who do manage to survive will most likely mate and multiply. Then, there will be a large number of wild dogs in this forest.
What about the dogs that are sent into the forest and end up wandering to nearby towns? Well, guess that will just be the problem of another town now, won’t it?
Yeah, great idea Mr. Mayor.
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This is ridiculous!! The National Forestry Department should fine Helena-West Helena so that the message gets across to that city! I cannot believe that there is not a higher government authority that could reprimand him for this action.
He says $50-60k to build an adequate shelter? Well, he should get to requesting some funds. He could find two of his employees a new job in the private sector and viola, he would have money in the budget.
Are they going to do the same thing when their landfill gets full and when their jail gets overcrowded?