Letters to the Editors

The problem of strays needs a real solution

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 18, 2000

Another summer, another record number of animals being euthanized. When will our county realize that killing stray animals does not work? The huge amount of dogs and cats being destroyed daily may keep Animal Control in business, but it is an irresponsible and cruel habit that needs a solution.

Mandatory spaying and neutering would help. Severe fines for pet owners who abandon their animals or do not spay or neuter would help.

A moratorium on breeding during the spring and summer by people who operate in their garage would help.

Adopting throwaway pets from shelters rather than escalating the breeding in pet stores would help.

Being a compassionate and loving companion animal caretaker is a lifetime commitment. Never walk away from an animal on the street that needs your help.

Over the years, I have saved strays, paid the vet bill and gotten them safely adopted. Just in the small area of my neighborhood, I have seen the stray population diminish.

I have sent countless reports about programs that work in other cities to our commissioners, but all I get is a form letter.

And the animals continue to die. What a sad waste of life. But sadder still is why our community allows it to go on.
-- Louise Kahle, St. Petersburg

All boaters should be licensed

I can't understand why it isn't necessary to have a license to operate a boat. I see a lot of articles in your paper about people getting injured while boating and record numbers of manatees dying from boating accidents.

I am 15 years old, and last year my father bought a boat. The first thing he and I did was to take a Coast Guard course that taught us how to operate our boat safely and responsibly. The course also taught me important things like which boat has the right of way, what different signs mean, how to read maps, the importance of not drinking and driving on the water and the importance of protecting our underwater environment.

I have found that many boaters have no idea of how to properly operate their boat. I see a lot of boaters who drive too fast in places or situations where they shouldn't.

Many of them speed, cut other boaters off and don't slow down in situations where it would be safer to do so.

Drinking seems to be the rule and not the exception. I think that licensing and increased enforcement of boating laws would lead to increased safety for all of us on the water and for increased safety for endangered species like manatees.
-- Christopher Marrazzo, Palm Harbor

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