From: Richard Auger <dogbyke@yahoo.ca>
Date: December 13, 2007 9:09:41 PM PST (CA)
To: provletters@png.canwest.com
Cc: New West Animal Shelter <dwilfong@city.new-westminster.bc.ca>, Burnaby City <postmaster@burnaby.ca>, Vancouver City <cc@vancouver.ca>, New West City of <postmaster@newwestcity.ca>, North Van City of <clerks@cnv.org>, Richmond City of <mayorandcouncillors@richmond.ca>, Animal Control <animalcontrol@vancouver.ca>, North Van District <agnes_hilsen@dnv.org>, SPCA Vancouver <paws_online@spca.bc.ca>
Subject: Disposable Dogs

Most readers were probably disgusted, after reading yesterday's cover story, that someone could be so heartless as to throw a living puppy in a trash bin to die. Yet in our own neighbourhoods, hundreds of puppies are tied to chains in backyards and left to live and die miserably while our animal welfare and municipal governments do absolutely nothing to help them. We drive and walk past these poor creatures every day and simply turn the other way. You see, if an animal has shelter from the blistering sun or freezing rain (that's what they call a worthless plywood box), water (that's what they call an empty dish or block of ice) and food (many of these animals won't make it through the winter due to malnutrition) then our animal protection societies can legally do nothing to help the poor creature. So if the person who left this puppy to die is found and brought to bear for their actions then rightfully our city councils and animal welfare officials should also be brought bear for their inaction. Foster a simple act of decency and ban chained dogs.
Rick Auger
New Westminster