Wednesday, March 7, 2001

I would like the pet owners that live in Weatherly subdivision to be aware the incident that happened on Jan. 2. A neighbor (or should I even use the word "neighbor"?) filed a complaint with the Fayette County animal control about a cat (or animal) that was leaving dead animals in their yard, so animal control set a "trap."

If you live in this subdivision you know there are many cats as well as dogs. Our family pet was caught in the trap and taken to the shelter. When I missed him, I called animal control and left a detailed message describing him (he did have a collar with tags) as well as my name, home telephone number and work number.

When no one returned my call, we continued to search the neighborhood, to no avail. He was beautiful and friendly so I told myself someone had taken him.

On Feb. 12 I received a call from a detective from the Fayetteville police department questioning me about an incident involving the same neighbor that had called animal control. It was then I found out what happened to my beloved pet.

He had been put to sleep that very day. I called the county animal control and questioned why had I not been called back or why hadn't someone called to tell me he had been caught in the trap.

The answer I got was they did not know why no one had called because they did have a record I had called. Animal control, the detective, as well as the neighbor all knew where my pet was yet no one contacted me so I could have picked him up.

How heartless can people be? This was our family pet and very much loved by us. If you have a pet, please be aware animal control has the right to do this if they receive a complaint. We found out the hard way.

You might say, "Well, it was just a cat." He was more to us. He was a part of our family. This neighbor will never know the heartache because they could not possibly have a heart themselves.

Denise J. Barnett

Fayetteville

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