THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, January 7, 2010
9
nO w th a t wi n t e r ha s ar r i v e d …
Humane Society in La- must be provided winter
conia, and many other
— PET Of THE WEEk —
shelter – at a minimum,
shelters, do not possess
“Sweet Pea” - The Last Dog Of The Year
three sides with a roof, in
so called “Animal Precinct” place November 1- April 15
capabilities. we partner
Perhaps four years old, Sweet
Pea is easily the smartest dog cur-
of any given year. Horses
with local law enforcement
rently staying at New Hampshire
may not be tethered within
when a report is received, Humane Society. Found wander- the three sided structure,
by marylee gorham
at the Police Department,
ing alone in Meredith seemingly
likewise they must not be
Contributing Writer
and accompany them to
looking for her home, she was
locked inside a barn all
the site if requested, which
quickly brought to the shelter were
she could be warm and safe – that
winter either. The argu-
…the calls will start to we invariably are.
was back in October.
ment, nay justification,
come in, animals in dis- What happens next de- We know she has spent many for leaving a horse in an
tress, out in the frigid cold pends on the situation as
hours learning a whole raft of com-
empty pasture because
with no shelter. Not just found. Animals may be
mands and little tricks, in fact she
“they won’t use a shelter”
cats, although surely they removed from the property
will anticipate your next request
and simply run through her reper-
will not hold up. Please
are the lowest on the totem if they are in imminent
toire to please you.
use water heaters or elec-
pole in terms of hitting the danger and in need of Why her former owners have not tric buckets since horses,
radar screen of caring, medical care.
filed a stray dog report, or claimed
who drink copiously have
but also horses, dogs, and Animals in desperate
her is beyond our understanding.
access to something other
other livestock. Likely due straits may end up in pro-
She is indeed sweet and gentle, adores the company of humans,
perhaps a little aloof with other dogs – she is far more interested in
than ice.
to monetary constraints, tective custody, often a
hanging out with people. Let’s please complete the circle of caring
For dogs, they must have
towns have ramped back sticky wicket since the for Sweet Pea, and find her a forever home before year’s end. shelter year round, suf-
their involvement inves- pending legal action is al-
Visit Sweet Pea during usual shelter hours Tuesday – Saturday.
ficient in size for the dog
tigating reports of animal ways expensive, and time
Or check www.nhhumane.org for further adoption details.
to walk into, turn around,
cruelty and neglect, focus- consuming. lay down and proportion-
ing more on the needs of Towns may shy away of justice akin to sending atric counselors – animal ate to the dog’s size so he
their human constituents, from pursuing the let- a pedophile to a daycare abusers always carry other can retain body heat. Old
it’s just the way things are ter of the law because of center! Strong words I baggage that the average derelict cars are not ac-
right now. lack of resources, shel- know, but remember we shelter worker would be ill ceptable living quarters
Feral cat colonies sub- ters are then left to carry at NHHS are pledged to equipped to manage. now, for dogs, ditto access
sisting behind area busi- the burden of caring for speak for those who can- Thankfully there are to a garage, also not up to
nesses, barely surviving. these helpless animals for not speak for themselves – some laws on the books. standard in New Hamp-
Horses and ponies stand- lengthy periods of time we are not trained psychi- Equine law states horses
See gORham on 30
ing in fields bereft of shel- until the case is resolved.
ter or adequate consis- Every once in a while
tent food and clean water someone actually goes to
sources. Dogs still tied up jail for animal cruelty and
to trees and porches forced neglect, but not as often as
to live outside with no way you would rightly expect.
to maintain warmth and Crimes against animals
comfort from the north generally pan out as fines
wind. This is the lot of ani- and jail time suspended.
mals in the dark days of a Interestingly judges will
New Hampshire Winter. decree non-ownership of
Of course, there are companion animals for a
many private citizens who set period of time, but who
are shocked and appalled is enforcing this?
by the status quo, they Incredulously the judi-
continue to call shelters cial system has, on occa-
all over the state upset sion, ordered community
about animals seen to service in lieu of jail time
be neglected at this, the be completed at the local
worst possible time of the animal shelter. Just such
year. The first call should an occurrence happened a
always be to your town’s few years back with a north
ACO – Animal Control Of- country court without any
ficer. Some Police Depart- conference with our shel-
ments have a dedicated of- ter, the crime was a fairly
ficer just for this function, serious case of abuse. I
others share duties related actually called and then
to stray animals and follow wrote to the prosecutor
up of complaints with the and suggested sending
shift officers. such a felon to our facility
Sadly, New Hampshire was a grave miscarriage
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