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Date published: 6/25/2008
Pity the person who would abandon his faithful hunting dogs
A few weeks ago, I visited the Westmoreland County animal shelter. This is a clean, well-run entity of local government service that gets by on minimum funding and the dedicated services of two workers. While there, I saw three old beagle hounds and asked the attendant why they were there. He replied that they belonged to a hunter who gave them up when they became too old to hunt After years of faithful service, they were abandoned. What sort of man would be so callous, so cold-hearted These creatures are not alone. Weekly, I see old folks deposited in nursing and retirement homes, as they have outlived their usefulness and are now "too much trouble." The hands that rocked the cradle are now palsied and worn; no one has the time One who would abandon his faithful old dogs would abandon his faithful old mother. May God have mercy on his soul. Dr. W.R. Gardiner Westmoreland
My husband & I currently have a large pack of 5 bird-hunting dogs - all of which we love nearly as much as our own child! We've also had 4 other bird dogs that had wonderful, long lives - the passing of each was like losing one of our kids. Hunting dogs are such loving, loyal, smart, and hard-working creatures - I just don't know how some of these hunter-owners can dismiss their lives with such callousness. The hard work of their youth needs to be rewarded with a "comfy" retirement in their older years!
I’m so happy to see there have been big changes in the attitudes of multitudes toward animal welfare in the past few years. Unfortunately, there will always be people like the individual described by Dr. Gardiner. I'm a firm believer that a person's worth can be judged by the way they treat animals. I've taken in many, many animals over the years. Bless those of you who have done the same and for those can’t treat an animal with respect, shame on you. You’ll regret your decision(s) one day.
Did you say pity? I would like to see that person face to face. We have rescued several hunting dogs from whatever terrible fate that would befall them. They are thrown away like so much trash. They are good natured, friendly and great family pets after they learn how to climb stairs, walk on wood floors and know that the human hand is not going to hit them or pick them up by their necks anymore. They are beautiful after some weight covers their bones. Someone please adopt those beagles.
A chance in a shelter is a lot better than most of them get. Many of them just get a bullet to the head when they are old or sick.
My daughter and I found a hunting dog that had been hit by a car. We rushed it to the Emergency Clinic and paid to keep it comfortable until Animal Control could pick it up and contact the owner since it was wearing a collar with hunting tags. The owner told them to put it down since he had not use for it after hunting season. He had to be threatened with a fine just to get him to sign away ownership so we could try to save the dog. We were unable to save "Chance" but we did give him love at the end!
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