I am your Animal Control Officer. I am not the dreaded "dogcatcher" or the "murderer" you call me.
It is not I who allows your pet to roam the streets, to contract diseases from other free-roaming animals, to be hit by the passing motorist or poisoned by rotting garbage. I am the one who must look into those sick, pain-glazed eyes, try to remove the animal without causing it further pain, and then humanely "put it to sleep" to put an end to its further suffering.
It is not I who allows your pets to breed, then dumps the unwanted puppies and kittens on the roadsides and in shelters. I'm the one who must find the tiny animals before they die of starvation, exposure to disease, and as an act of mercy, exterminate them. It hurts me to be forced to kill hundreds of thousands of animals each year, but because of your irresponsibility, I have no choice.
It is not I who abandons unwanted animals on farm roads, telling myself some friendly farmer will surely take them in and give them a good home. But I am the one who must pick up the frightened animal who waits in vain for its beloved master, wondering why it has been abandoned. I am the one who must help that friendly farmer trap, tranquilize or kill that hungry animal because it has begun to roam in packs with other abandoned hungry animals killing livestock, fowl and game.
I am not the one who breeds and fights dogs in the name of "sport." But I'm the one who fights the breeders and participants and must pick up the dead and dying animals that have been left behind.
It is not I who keeps pets confined in an area too small - without food, water, shelter or exercise. But I must deal with the irresponsible owner who does.
It is not I who refuses to spend the time and money to keep up regular innoculations that all pets require. But I am the one who must pick up the sick animal that is dying of a preventable illness.
So remember, the next time your child is bitten by a stray dog, your trash is dumped and scattered, your pet is lost, stolen, poisoned or hit by a car, it is the Animal Control Officer you call - not the "dogcatcher." The next time your pet is picked up, or you are cited for neglecting or abusing it, remember, I am only trying to get you to fulfill your responsibility to your pet, your neighbor and yourself.
Do not scorn me. Respect me, for I am the product of your irresponsibility.
I love animals, and I care.
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