When it comes to animals, people are almost as divided as they are over politics.
My colleague (polite word for the man with the final answer and boss) on Today in Fort Smith is very conservative and I am quite the opposite. We also have different views on animals but that is what makes the world go around.
Just because we don't agree doesn't mean we can't work together.
Recently there had been some controversy but I tried to reach out to those that didn't agree with him and explain how much I value the fact that we have freedom of speech and freedom of press.
That covers him and me. It goes both ways. it doesn't just apply to articles we agree with or disagree with. That is actually a good thing for our society.
The only significant rule in this business, as well as life, is the truth.
Going a step further, we must also distinguish between a news article and an opinion or editorial.
On the news side, do we both always get it 100% correct? No, we are human. But we do try 100% of the time and when we are wrong, we admit it and correct any misstatement as soon as possible.
With that being said, I want to get to the true subject of this article.
Animals.
No animal deserves to be neglected or abused and some people in this area seem to be divided on that. So while I am in “opinion mode” I am going to take this opportunity to rant my views on animal abuse and neglect.
If you keep an animal in a small pen or tied up to a tree all the time, that is not humane. If an animal is outside in the freezing weather with no place to get warm, that is not humane. If an animal needs medical attention and doesn't get it, that is not humane either.
End of opinions. Now for news content.
I recently saw a post where someone found a three-legged dog and was searching for the owner. I re-posted on my Facebook, along with a local community site, and someone reached out to me and claimed it was their dog.
I gave the person all the contact info to retrieve the dog. She then replied and ask if I could pick up the the dog from animal control and bring it her. I told her no since I didn't have the time, and later I checked and the dog had been claimed
I received a message from another party claiming the -three legged dog was actually their dog and the person that claimed Pee Wee was actually using the dog for a stud and they they wanted Pee Wee back.
They said they were originally told that the police had been called and the police had shot and killed the animal. Only when they saw the post trying to locate the owner did they realize Pee Wee was still alive.
They claim to have all the documentation to back this up and are willing to present it to the police tomorrow.
I reached out to the woman that retrieved Pee Wee and she did finally answer my messages and stated she purchased the dog from the other person and has had him since 2014.
So now its back and forth and looks like a civil case or a case for the police to get involved in... which I predict will eventually happen.
I am sure there is a lesson there but instead of a lesson, I am left wondering why we have two families fighting over this one dog but we have thousands out there with no one to love and care for them?
