Letter: Take care of your animals

Recently you printed a letter from Donna Rangitsch about being displeased with animal control.

The letter went directly away from the issue at hand. They state they know who reported the dog being left in the rain. Let me make it perfectly clear, it was me.

I was visiting from Billings, Mont. and witnessed this puppy outside in pouring rain for over two hours, going to the bathroom, like heck.

I then witnessed this person come outside, smoke a cigarette, see the condition of the dog shivering and wet, finish their cigarette and go back inside blocking the dog from going indoors.

It was at this point I called animal control who appropriately assessed the situation and gave the owner the correct information about shelter.

People who do not understand what it takes to be a dog owner should not have animals.

A further letter from Ann Ridl states she was frustrated with an animal control officer who told her animals can adapt to situations — true for some animals.

If animals are outside all the time and have the ability to form a thick coat and have appropriate shelter they can adapt to different weather situations.

Some animals who cannot form a second coat cannot. Animals that are kept inside and let outside for bathroom breaks cannot adjust an appropriate coat and should not be left outside without shelter.

And most important, if you are going to leave your animal outside in pouring rain for long periods of time, provide shelter.

Understand the laws of pet ownership. I do. Animal control made the right choice in this circumstance. And I will not mind my own business when it involves cruelty and ignorance.

If I see anyone mistreat an animal or a child I will take action and not sit idly by thinking it is OK to be cruel.

If you don’t like the conditions of a shelter, what are you doing to help improve the conditions?

I volunteer at the local shelter, I donate blankets, food and toys.

The world can be improved one step at a time, in this case it was to have an ignorant pet owner take responsibility for the animal they have in their care.

I do not apologize for that step and I would do it again.

Janet Summers, Billings, Mont.

Tags: animal control, opinion, letters, letter