Let's work together to help stray animals

I have been a proud resident of Bonner County since 1991. My wife was born and raised here since 1957. Both of us are strong animal lovers and passionate supporters for all that makes our community such a wonderful place to live.

We greatly appreciate the article that was written in the Daily Bee by Eric Welch: Stray animal services uncertain (Daily Bee, Aug. 14). Over time, the human species is progressing toward more compassionate treatment of others — not just people who may differ from us, but also species who share this planet as their home with us.

We wish to respectfully request that the Bonner County commissioners, the local mayors, city councils and police departments, and the well-established and successful local nonprofit animal shelter in Better Together Animal Alliance come together to work out a solution that is collaborative and in the best interests of both the local companion animals, as well as the multitude of citizens who strongly consider their animals to be significant members of their families.  

We are big supporters of law enforcement in general, and especially locally. And we do not believe that law enforcement should be allocating their limited time and resources towards the care of animals. Nor is law enforcement best trained and equipped to provide these services. In the long run it will either cost a lot more money to care for the stray dogs in our community, or there will be a significant reduction in the level of care that the animals will receive.

Unless there is another, and importantly, local, animal care organization that is set up to care for our local beloved pets, please go back to some negotiations with BTAA to come up with a dollar amount that is acceptable for all involved. We greatly appreciate that you are being protective of tax payers money. The amount of energy and time to further negotiate a solution at this time will result in huge savings of time, money and heartache for local law enforcement, as well as all of us tax payers and families who care about animals.

Over the years our society has become increasingly complex. The solutions for the challenges that we face will also need to become more sophisticated and collaborative. Overly simplistic “fixes” can often make situations worse. We are an amazing community. We can do better than this. Please let’s work together, and with compassion and respect, to come up with a more effective and collaborative solution.

ERIC RIDGWAY and CINDY AASE

Sandpoint