NoDogNo.com

Cold Rejections: Some Brownsville owners abandoning dogs in overnight cages

Posted on 15. Nov, 2009 by admin in Brownsville, Texas, Rescues & Adoptions, Top Stories

STAFF REPORT
©2009 NoDogNo.com

Sunday evening, like most evenings, was not a good one for Brownsville dogs and cats. Between closing time at the Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center and sundown, four dogs had already been rejected by their families–left to spend the night in an outdoor cage without water, food or protection from the cold.

Along with the four dogs were also as many as a dozen cats and kittens, left within the same timeframe. It was about enough time to watch a Cowboys’ football game, and the animals will stay locked in cages until the next morning when officials can begin processing them into the center.

Although the overnight drop cages provide a convenient and anonymous way to discard unwanted animals at the shelter, owners should know a few facts and the frightening truth about what will most likely happen to the dogs and cats left there. First, the sheer number of dogs and cats abandoned at the shelter means that your animal will very likely be killed.

The animal regulation center makes no attempt to hide the fact. Just read the warning sign left beside the cages:

1. The City of Brownsville is not responsible for any animals left in these cages.
2. Dropping off animals in these cages presents risks to those animals.
3. The City of Brownsville reserves the right to immediately euthanize any animal determined to be sick, injured or vicious.
4. There is no assurance that animals will be kept in the shelter for any specific minimum amount of time.
5. Animals should not be place in these cages during hours the shelter is open.

It’s easy for some people to find fault in the animal regulation officials or the facility. That’s unfortunate. The greater problem is in our community, which is creating the overpopulation of pets and not doing enough to encourage responsible actions by the owners. Yes, some people must make difficult decisions from time to time in life. But all too often, we take the easy way out.

In most cases, the animals suffer for our actions.

Brownsville’s dog lovers who are the most outraged by the abandonments and deaths of these animals cannot possibly rescue every mutt left at the animal control center. Because of people like them, many shelter dogs have been given another chance and have happy lives ahead. Yet, no matter what people hope will happen when they abandon a dog or cat to the shelter, the greatest likelihood is that the animals’ last experience with a family before its death will be a cold rejection in a cage.