There’s a problem with critters in Merritt.

You don’t have to go far to see it. In the downtown core the trouble is cats, and as you get more into the residential areas the dogs start to cause difficulty.

It raises a big question – if you aren’t going to take care of your pet why get one?

Animals are a big responsibility and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Anyone who is around town late at night knows there are a lot of people in Merritt who are neglecting their pet-owning duties.

This is especially true for dogs.

There is nothing quite like the unconditional love of a dog. They are great to have as company. No kid should grow up without a dog in their life. They teach so many things to children like empathy towards another living being, responsibility and love. They are a furry shoulder to lean on when things get tough and a way to get a couch potato moving.

So with so many positives behind owning a dog it’s not hard to understand why there are so many in Merritt. Unfortunately an awful lot of those owners aren’t living up to their end of the deal.

That is where the Merritt bylaw officer comes in. It is unfortunate, but someone has to deal with the problem others have created.

Talk about heart breaking. Try going down to the pound to see those dogs. This week the kennels are pretty full. Hopefully some of them will get homes, but a lot won’t.

These are great dogs, and it is a shame that they may never know the thrill of being a family pet.

Some of them are lost pets and they will return home when their owners come to claim them, if there owners decide it’s worth paying the fine, but many will not be claimed. This week there are two charming young black lab crosses that need homes as well as an older lab cross who has run away from home. The puppies are both lovely and friendly and greet everyone that comes through the door with a tail wag and an excited bark. They are great dogs that just need to be given a chance. The older one seems lost as it has manners and knows how to listen.

People who want a dog should check out the pound and see if one of these cuties is a perfect fit. You can’t beat the price as they are free to a new owner.

Now you may be wondering how anyone can be blamed for the stray cats in Merritt, but it had to start somewhere. These aren’t wild cats. They are feral, which is a domesticated animal that turns wild. That means at some point cats were dumped and the population began to grow.

Luckily these cats have Angie coming to their rescue, but she isn’t enough. People have to work on this problem together. That means supporting things like her steak dinner this past weekend and adopting cats from her when they are available.

Luckily there are people fighting this problem, but that doesn’t solve it. To put an end to it everyone should take care of your pets because no one is going to do it for you. Have them spayed and neutered and don’t let them wander loose around town. -HST