I'm horrified...is this considered normal in MS?

[aquietpath]

I've lived in a rural area of NE Mississippi for the past 5 years and have seen a horrible problem with stray animals with not much in the way of options to take care of them. While discussing this problem with a few of the natives here, one told me she routinely takes her unwanted dogs to a "nice house" and drops them off and her husband shoots strays that come on their property. The other put her unwanted puppies in a garbage bag and threw them in a lake - alive! She said it was better than dropping them off, as people pick them up and use them for TARGET PRACTICE!!!!!!! The folks who told me this seem to be nice people except when it comes to animals...even my pastor has admitted shooting strays who come in his yard. I'm an animal lover and people look at me like I'm the one who is crazy for thinking this is wrong on so many levels, and there seems to be such a disrespect for animals around here that borders on sadism. When I suggest they spay or neuter their animals they act like what I'm suggesting is a ridiculous option. Could someone please explain the mentality??

[hrtofdixiechk]

Originally Posted by aquietpath

I've lived in a rural area of NE Mississippi for the past 5 years and have seen a horrible problem with stray animals with not much in the way of options to take care of them. While discussing this problem with a few of the natives here, one told me she routinely takes her unwanted dogs to a "nice house" and drops them off and her husband shoots strays that come on their property. The other put her unwanted puppies in a garbage bag and threw them in a lake - alive! She said it was better than dropping them off, as people pick them up and use them for TARGET PRACTICE!!!!!!! The folks who told me this seem to be nice people except when it comes to animals...even my pastor has admitted shooting strays who come in his yard. I'm an animal lover and people look at me like I'm the one who is crazy for thinking this is wrong on so many levels, and there seems to be such a disrespect for animals around here that borders on sadism. When I suggest they spay or neuter their animals they act like what I'm suggesting is a ridiculous option. Could someone please explain the mentality??

it seems to me that you may be judging a group of people by a one or two horrible stories you were told. There are sick people everywhere you go! Plus, if you live in a rural area the view of stray animals may be different. They may have a problem with rabic animals running around and such. I'm not defending them, just trying to see the other side and not judge the actions of a few as commonplace for the larger community.

[peppermint]

I can't comment about the mentality, but it is not uncommon even for "animal shelters" to shoot, strangle, or drown animals. I was active with a group (when we lived in Pennsylvania) that would bring in animals from Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, etc. so that we could adopt them out instead of being killed. The only animals we/they euthanized were ones who were very ill or dangerous (had bitten or attacked). A licensed veterinarian performed all the euthanizations and gave other medical care for free.

I think you bring up an important issue, aquietpath. It really upsets me to see what happens to these precious animals. We only adopt from shelters, and our boys (2 cats) are neutered. We support our local shelter, which is just like the one we left in Pennsylvania.

[DanBev]

Here in North Florida fortunately we have animal shelter.I am not necessarily stray animal lover.We have had a feral cat which lived in woods,she bore 3 kittens,2 died in woods and we finally trapped one and turned it in.We could not get anywhere near them finally now she bore 3 kittens,I trapped all 3.
We have befriended her so on Nov 5 if we can get her in trap we can have her spayed thru clinic,cost $35 including raby shot,not sure of spelling.My point is all vets here wanted $160 which would have meant that the cat had to go
If none of these options were available I would agree with the premise of having to do something about situation.

[aiangel_writer]

I don't know if it is just a problem in our state, but I do know what you mean.

My dh reads meters and finds strays all the time. Up till last year, we could take them to an adjoining county shelter, but they only take pets from their county now and our county does not have a shelter.

Early this spring, during our first really hot and dry spell, my dh came home from reading meters and got into his truck, telling me to come with him. We drove back into the 'hills' and finally onto a dead end road. Right close to the end, he stopped and showed me a patch of grass. There inside a rutted out area in the grass was a puppy. She looked starved to death and scared out of her mind. I got out and got her, she was shaking so badly.

Brought her into the truck and she proceeded to drink all my glass of tea. Tears welled up as I watched her small pink tongue lapping at the ice, thirsty still.

We brought her home, picked over 50 ticks off her, bathed her and fed her. DH confessed he had given her his bologna sandwich when he first discovered her.

She was timid, easily scared, we figured she had been abused even at such a young age.

Estimated her to be around 10 weeks old, and no idea how long she had been thrown away.

Took her to the vet who verified age, had her checked out and wormed and the like and had an appointment to bring her back for her surgury.

Today, 4 months later, Missy is so pretty and sleek. She is half pit, half lab but is as friendly to us as can be. She is out of most of her timidness, but can still frighten easily at times and run and hide. She loved to ride with me when I go to the Post Office, and this is a milestone as it took her a while to be relaxed in the car and realize we were not throwing her out.

I can't imagine people who do this. Shooting them would be more of a blessing than throwing them away. But getting females fixed would be the best cure for unwanted puppies.

I have a large heart and it kills me to see animals mistreated in any way.

[todd00]

aquietpath, thats just terrible. i would suggest you contact peta, they maybe able to refer you to some group locally that has some connections. dont write or email, phone them. i will contact the gal ive known for many yrs at a shelter locally and ask her if she has any contacts in your area. i will send you a message when i find out something. thanks for caring.

there is no excuse that backwoods methods of killing strays should still exist and be tolerated. its the pple that caused this problem by letting their animals run or dumping them like some old material item they no longer wanted.

im glad you went to the trouble of trapping the cat and kittens, danbev. but as far as other options, to me that would mean searching for a discount through a rescue group or shelter in another location. most vets take no real interest in the problems, much like pple docs they care about the money and thats it.

ive taken in stray dogs and cats for 25 yrs and im still sickened by the way we deal with the animal overpopulation problem. someday i hope compassion will be the norm rather than the exception.

[todd00]

aquietpath, thats just terrible. i would suggest you contact peta, they maybe able to refer you to some group locally that has some connections. dont write or email, phone them. i will contact the gal ive known for many yrs at a shelter locally and ask her if she has any contacts in your area. i will send you a message when i find out something. thanks for caring.

there is no excuse that backwoods methods of killing strays should still exist and be tolerated. its the pple that caused this problem by letting their animals run or dumping them like some old material item they no longer wanted.

im glad you went to the trouble of trapping the cat and kittens, danbev. but as far as other options, to me that would mean searching for a discount through a rescue group or shelter in another location. most vets take no real interest in the problems, much like pple docs they care about the money and thats it.

ive taken in stray dogs and cats for 25 yrs and im still sickened by the way we deal with the animal overpopulation problem. someday i hope compassion will be the norm rather than the exception.

[southernnaturelover]

Last year my town (I'm in AL) put in some kennels that are accessible to the public 24/7. If you have a stray you can put it in the kennel and then fill out a form and stick it in a drop box, the shelter workers get the animal the next morning. They always keep the kennels clean with a bucket of fresh water and there's even a pet-taxi inside for smaller animals. I live about a half mile from the shelter and people used to just dump animals out and then they would roam to my house, but I don't have that problem nearly as often anymore.

[kateg]

God bless you aiangel. You've gathered up all the points you need for a direct ticket to heaven.

[AnnieA]

I agree that it is horrible what you are saying but what is the answer ? Peta is even overwhelmed with unwanted animals and no kill shelters have had to resort to euthanazia because of sheer numbers. The people that dump their animals on other peoples property are the bad guys.

I love doggies and cats but I dont have any solutions. I cant trap and spay all the cats that have been left in my neighborhood and they have about decimated the bird population.