This letter appeared in the issue that came out the week of 5-26-14
Remembering the real hero’s where 34+ dogs were found alive and over 12+ dead along Hwy 291, outside Ford, WA in February 2014.
The REAL heroes were certainly not those you would expect. The Hero was the CASE WORKER who wouldn’t take the Sheriff Department’s answer of “we’ll see what we can do” and made the system work. The Heroes were the MANY VOLUNTEERS who spent days and hundreds of hours on the toxic contaminated property; getting the rest of the living animals to safety and providing a proper burial for those who died. Only to be prevented from bringing the last abandoned dog to safety. No thanks to an angry neighbor, Jerry, who wouldn’t let volunteers get to her. Named Sierra, she was literally within reach and irresponsibly denied a new life after allegedly being shot to death the next day.
The Heroes were the ANIMALS who endured and suffered year after year, dying horrific deaths because Officials told the community and neighbors to “mind their own business” and “We can’t tell someone to give up their animals just ‘cuz they have too many.” Even though Sheriff Kendle stated that the Sheriff’s Department had been called out to the property at least 10 times since 2007.
Well, GUESS WHAT, they can! The RCW’s Chapter 16 regarding animal cruelty, abuse and neglect are complete, thorough, and the LAW, even in Stevens County!
You and I are held accountable for doing our job, why are those in charge not held accountable for doing theirs? The Commissioners who should provide strategic direction, funding and problem solving. The Sheriff’s Department to “protect and serve” and ensure the safety of people and animals in their County. And the Prosecuting Attorney who needs to prosecute period! How many other humans (children and elderly) and “animals” have been the victims of trivialized situations and those in “charge” looking the other way? How many other County Agency’s (Fire, Ambulance, Social Health, Adult Services, etc.) have been called out and how often? Where is the partnership of working together to prevent situations like this from happening?
We cannot have a civil society unless all the players play by the rules and there must be consequences for those who violate the rules.
Stevens County …. A great place to visit, live, work and play …. as long as you are not a vulnerable child, the elderly or an animal.
Barb Baumann
Spokane, WA
Spokane, WA
