Dear Editor
This is for the irresponsible pet owners out there. How inhumane and cruel it is to abandon a dog or cat at someone's farm? In my case I feel I've been the victim of a repeat offender. I have had numerous cats dumped here over the years. We had our own, neutered cats, but the coyotes got the drop offs; a painful death for a cat.
We are not Disneyland on the farms. Grow up. This is a reality check.
Today I brought a 10-month-old border collie cross to the vet to be spayed by Lend a Paw. Do you even know how painful this was on the puppy or myself? I am an animal lover and have had my share of pets. I got them spayed or neutered. (I'm responsible for my own affairs, as are many others out there, and thank goodness for them.)
But, coward to you who dumped that defenceless, unruly puppy off on my farm last week. We saw the prints at the end of the driveway that appeared out of nowhere. It didn't get lost and wander in. Meanwhile you sped off and got rid of your responsibilities and forced them on a stranger.
I suffer from poor health and a dose of a very soft heart. The puppy was too much for me. Now it was up to me to try to find her a home. Do you city people know that we on the farm are on our own? The city will take our animal last. Good luck trying to catch a vacant spot.
So, you cowards who drop off your animals thinking they are going to get a happy-go-lucky farm life are in for a rude awakening. Most farmers will shoot them dead on the spot and by law are allowed to do that. Especially when livestock are involved.
This puppy was lucky. After eight days, Lend a Paw was able to find a maybe adoption for her. To my relief my husband took time off work and we drove her in this morning. I was already attached to this pup and her to me. She hid under my coat the whole drive into town and shook. My husband had to drag her away from me and carry her in. More trauma for the poor thing, and for me and my health.
I have had a total of six mixed border collie pups under a year old dumped on me the last eight years. We have to buy food, collars and leashes, then try to find a home for "your" dog. They've ended up at the animal shelter. Why the heck don't you have the courage to bring your own dogs in. Or are you too cheap as you have to pay to leave them there?
These are all border collie hillbilly mixes. And all look and act the same. This is not your free dumping ground. If I ever catch you I will report you to the police. And if they don't help, I am fed up enough to pay whatever I have to, to sue the pants off of you for any reasons, from undue stress, negligence and cruelty to animals that a lawyer can dig up on you and throw the book at you. I am already trying to find out who owns dogs like this in and around the Battlefords. People usually know someone. I write this hoping you will read this. But someone so callous probably wouldn't take the time to read a newspaper. And the people who really care and are responsible pet owners can agree with me about people like you. You are not brave at all. You are cowards.
S. Murphy
R.M of North Battleford
