Cities, county need to support BTAA

This letter is written in support of the ongoing efforts of Better Together Animal Alliance in taking care of the stray animal problem in Sandpoint and all of Bonner County. In the past BTAA has had to absorb the bulk of the costs of taking care of strays brought into their facility by Bonner County and the Cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay. Payment to BTAA from those three entities: For the physical care; medical care; housing, etc., of the strays has been minimal, at best, and doesn’t come close to covering the expenses incurred.

BTAA has been covering the preceding costs through donations from local citizens, donations that could have gone to covering all the wonderful programs that BTAA offers to all the people and animals of this county. For the city of Sandpoint to start up a shelter to hold animals for five days before euthanizing them, is leaving the city open to potential lawsuits for killing an animal when, for example, a family goes out of town on a trip and their animal (specifically dog) gets away from whoever is caring for it. The family comes home to find their family pet member has been killed because they didn’t claim it within five days.

BTAA should continue to provide services for strays, but the two cities and county are in need to come up with reasonable financial support so that BTAA can continue providing all the care these strays may need. Good way for those entities to avoid potential lawsuits as well as being supportive of the BTAA no-kill policy.

GAIL and MICHAEL HARMELIN

Sandpoint