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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 27, 2008

Better Spent Locally

Regarding "Let Leona's Loot...Go To The Dogs" (Commentary, July 20):

David Martosko's article makes several interesting points, not the least of which is the need for a "national umbrella group for humane societies and other pet shelters, a group that could put Leona Helmsley's money to work." I echo this sentiment a hundred times over.

Being an admitted novice in volunteering at our local no-kill shelter in Ruskin for the past five years, I am constantly overwhelmed at the passionate yet underfunded efforts of volunteers in our own shelter and in the many rescue groups that we work with - especially those using our discount spay-neuter clinic. These untiring people care for and rehabilitate homeless dogs and cats and work very hard to get them adopted into new homes. It's such a shame that some of "Leona's loot" can't be funneled through to these frontline workers rather than to the larger national or regional animal-welfare advocacy groups.

DON HINDERLITER

Sun City Center

Writer No Expert

I found David Martosko's column about animal protection laughable. Martosko is not a national expert on animal protection, as his tagline says. He's paid by the deceptively named Center for Consumer Freedom, whose sole goal is to discredit organizations that advocate on behalf of animals.

The CCF receives funds from various industries, including the restaurant, alcohol and meat industries. According to CCF president Richard Berman, the group's strategy is "to shoot the messenger. ... We've got to attack their activists' credibility as spokespersons."

Because the Humane Society of the United States and PETA advocate on behalf of all animals - including farmed animals, by supporting veganism - Martosko tries to discredit them to appease his clients who profit from animal suffering.

TRACY HABENICHT

Plainfield, Ill.

Outraged By Dog's Death

Regarding "Police Dog's Death In Hot Car Prompts Changes In Policy" (Metro, July 23):

The headline of the article alone brings up questions of neglect. As I read the article and learned Officer Sara Movahedi left her beloved "fellow officer" in a squad car unattended for over three hours, I was appalled. She had to do paperwork and other duties?

It is of little consequence that the air conditioning was left running and that Movahedi had confidence in the system. Those sound like excuses to me. When anything mechanical is involved, proper checks should be made at reasonable intervals to allow for malfunctions. I'm sure Movahedi was properly schooled on the survival rate of an animal locked in a vehicle in the heat.

It is incomprehensible how this type of blundering oversight could have occurred with such a valuable asset hanging in the balance.

I certainly hope Movahedi is not allowed the privilege of responsibly caring for another animal, and the Mulberry Police Department shoulders the blame for a needless, painfully agonizing death of one of its K-9 officers.

ROSE MANDT

Valrico

Double Standard

The State of Florida is the most humane state in the country regarding treatment of animals. Yet a Florida police officer leaves her canine companion in her locked vehicle with the air conditioning running for three hours. The A/C in the car failed and the dog died.

According to a Humane Society official, police officers are exempt from responsibility. Yet if a non-police officer left their animal in a closed car and it died, they would be prosecuted.

To leave an animal in a locked car with closed windows in Florida's heat is insane - even with A/C running. The officer did not intend to hurt the animal, but she did.

Either the officer or her unit must be accountable for the death of that animal.

KAREN WILLIAMS-BERARDO

Sun City Center

Charge Dog's Owner

Regarding "Gunman Kills Family's Dog" (Metro, July 22):

When reading this story you feel sorry for this poor family (and dog) until you get to the part where it happened at 3:45 a.m. Now the crime makes more sense.

What person wouldn't be furious at having to listen to and possibly be kept awake by a neighbor's dog barking at 3:45 a.m.? For all we know, this could be a nightly occurrence. Adding to his ire could be the fact that the police routinely refer folks to the animal-control department, which closes at 6 or 7 p.m.

The dog may have been barking to come in. The owner is the one who should be charged.

ROBERT RENTON

Lutz

Treatment, Not Jail

Regarding "Florida Prison Chief Offers Good Plan To Stop Cycle Of Recidivism" (Our Opinion, July 23):

Florida is one of many states grappling with overcrowded prisons. Throughout the nation, states facing budget shortfalls are pursuing alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders. The drug war is not the promoter of family values that some would have us believe. Children of inmates are at risk of educational failure, joblessness, addiction and delinquency. Not only do the children lose out, but society as a whole does too.

Incarcerating nonviolent drug offenders alongside hardened criminals is the equivalent of providing them with a taxpayer-funded education in antisocial behavior. Turning drug users into unemployable ex-cons is a senseless waste of tax dollars. It's time to declare peace in the failed drug war and begin treating all substance abuse, legal or otherwise, as the public health problem it is. Destroying futures and families doesn't benefit anyone.

ROBERT SHARPE

Washington, D.C.

The writer is policy analyst at Common Sense for Drug Policy.

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