Going to the dogs

It's a very sad and cruel fact that in this county a dog owner can leave their dog caged up all day, day after day after day.

Walking the dog or even letting them out to stretch is not required by law. When you are allowed to leave an animal caged up without proper attention, you are not likely to really know what's going on with that animal. Are they sick? Are there sores or infection? Does the animal have a lot of pent-up frustrations?

How would an owner know if he or she is allowed to cage a dog without being required to let them out?

A person who owns an animal and is allowed to do this will probably not be paying attention to other important things as well.

I can't believe that in this county with all its talk about pet adoptions and animal care with the SPCA that this is allowed.

Not too long ago, I had to call animal control about two locked up pit bulls just sitting in front of a house in the area where I live. They were never walked, never looked at and only given rotten cat food and water. I also informed animal control that the female was full of heart worms, and I was pretty sure neither one of them had had their shots.

But I was told that as long as the dogs have food and water, everything was OK.

So I am left with the understanding that, in this county, as long as you don't beat your animals you're OK and that I must take care of my animals but the person living down the road does not.

Janis Gross

Weeki Wachee