For Animals

To the Editor:

I was so happy and encouraged to see that other people are concerned enough about animals that they dedicated the January 27 editorial and a front page article over the abysmal conditions of the dog pound, which definitely does not fit under the town slogan, “Nicer in Newtown.”

Four million dollars is proposed to renovate a town pool. Is this a year around facility to justify this kind of expense and priority? I realize there are many human needs that require tax dollars. However, this is a plea for everyone to visit the current dog pound and see how dilapidated and outdated it is. It is a year around operation for the staff and volunteers who work there to take care of animals that are lost, abandoned, or abused and need a new loving home. It’s all been said in a previously detailed description of a need for a new shelter.

My question is: Why isn’t it the town’s responsibility to build it, just as much as it is the town’s responsibility to fund the pool renovation? How can we justify spending that much on a facility that’s used maybe one quarter of the year? I don’t hear the town asking anyone to have fundraisers to raise money for the $4 million pool renovation. The Canine Advocates have been asked to do just that — to have fundraisers to raise money for a new pound that’s expected to cost $400,000 to $500,000. Why?

Lee & Barbara Field

Serenity Lane, Sandy Hook         January 30, 2006