I Am Your Animal Control Officer

I am not the dreaded "dog catcher" or the "murderer" you call me. I am not the one who allows your pet to roam the streets, to contract diseases from other free-roaming animals, to be hit by passing motorists, or poisoned by rotting garbage. I am the one who must look into those sick, pain-glazed eyes, try to remove the animal without causing it further pain, and then humanely "put it to sleep" to put an end to its suffering.

I am not the one who allows your pets to breed, then dumps the unwanted puppies and kittens on roadsides and in shelters. I am the one who must find the tiny animals before they die of starvation, exposure or disease and as an act of mercy, exterminate them.

It hurts me to be forced to kill hundreds of thousands of animals each year, but because of your irresponsibility, I have no choice.

I am not the one who abandons unwanted animals on farm roads, telling myself some friendly farmer will surely take them in and give them a good home. But I am the one who picks up the frightened animal who waits in vain for its beloved master, wondering why it has been abandoned. I am the one who must help that friendly farmer trap, tranquilize or kill that animal because it has begun to roam in packs with other abandoned, hungry animals, killing livestock, foul and game.

I am not the one who breeds and fight dogs in the name of "sport". But I am the one who fights breeders and participants and must pick up the dead and dying animals that have been left behind.

I am not the one who keeps a pet confined in an area too small, without food, water, shelter, or exercise. But I must deal with the irresponsible owner who does.

I am not the one who refuses to spend time and money to keep up regular inoculations that all pets require. But I am the one who must pick up the sick animal that is dying of a preventable disease.

So remember, the next time your child is bitten by a stray dog, your trash is dumped and scattered, your pet is lost, stolen, poisoned, or hit by a car, it is the Animal Control Officer you call - NOT the "dog catcher".

The next time your pet is picked up, or you are cited for neglecting or abusing it, remember that I am only trying to get you to fulfill your responsibility to your pet, your neighbor and yourself.

Do not scorn me. Respect me, for I am the product of your irresponsibility. I love animals, and I care.

That was sent to me as an email forward a couple years ago. It wasn't credited to anyone but somebody who passed it on said she got it from one of the staff at the Memphis Animal Shelter. Maybe it originated there. If you recognize it, please send me the author's name so I can give them credit for a job well done. Thanks!
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