http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/mapleridgenews/opinion/letters/88960202.html
‘Euthanasia last resort’
Published: March 23, 2010 3:00 PM
Updated: March 23, 2010 3:03 PM

Editor, The News:
Re: Not all animals can be saved (Letters, March 19). http://www.bclocalnews.com/opinion/letters/88461812.html

I respect Dr. Adrian Walton’s opinion as a veterinarian, but in his letter he presumed to know my opinion. Readers might mistakenly believe he’s spoken to me. I would like the opportunity to correct this.
But first, does he support sending people home to wash their hair and shower after leaving one shelter and before entering another? This was what I was questioning before council.
As for his words, “Mrs. MacMillan is of the opinion that the SPCA should not do any euthanasia and that all animals can be saved,” I consider this damaging since anyone believing this would be naïve and unrealistic and I am not.
As I said in a letter to reporter Phil Melnychuk in January 2008: “ ... the complainants are concerned about the quality of shelter care. There are lapses and omissions. And there is the highly contentious euthanasia issue. Please be aware that the complainants are realistic about euthanasia. They know as I do that it’s unavoidable as long as pets breed faster than homes can be found. What they protest is the death of animals for whom there were options. Euthanasia should be a last resort.”
Brigitta MacMillan
Maple Ridge