Pacific County has one animal shelter in South County (Long Beach). It is over an hour’s travel from one end to the other, one way. Pacific County has zero animal control officers. None exist inside any of the cities.

This hasn’t necessarily been an issue as the workaround for years had the two veterinarian clinics in North County contracted to intake stray dogs, one for inside city limits of South Bend and Raymond, and the other for county limits. Both clinics worked with local rescues to intake once stray hold was up (three days, but often longer). While this seems like a logical and reasonable set-up, it puts the burden of care onto clinic staff and not every dog is a healthy dog, whether that be psychologically or physically. This is especially true for some dumped dogs that were badly abused or have been on the run for extended periods.

With growing numbers of these types of dogs and an increase in pet owners vying for kennel space with boarding pets, clinics had to make the decision to stop in-taking strays. Chad Jones stepped up and installed kennels at his property. They handled over 40 dogs in approximately 17 months. While this may not sound like much, it is an enormous responsibility when it’s handled primarily by two people after an officer drops the dog(s) off.

Both cities owe Chad Jones their gratitude for stepping up during that time.

In the majority of U.S. cities, an ACO and a city or county impound building is in place for animal intake. It is the legal responsibility for Pacific County sheriff and city officers to impound strays. I believe it is long overdue for the county to step up and provide the facility for North County to utilize, and to create an ACO position. Our area is continuing to increase in population and dumped animals, the practice of asking and expecting citizen volunteers to fulfill this obligation on their behalf needs to end.

CHRISTINE BALCOM

South Bend