There’s an old adage about freedom that you’ve probably heard phrased various ways by different people but I’m grabbing a quote attributed to author Neil Gaiman:
“Because if you don’t stand up for the stuff you don’t like, when they come for the stuff you do like, you’ve already lost.”
The point being that the legal right to freedom has to apply to everyone across the board, not just to you, your family, and others who agree with you. Otherwise, it’s a pointless concept. Enough said.
Last week, Cleveland Co AC in NC took 23 surrendered dogs from an owner who breeds dogs. There were no violations at the time AC visited the property and convinced the owner to surrender some of the dogs. Just as there were no violations when AC visited the property last year with big guns in tow:
“They had 60 animals,” [Sam Lockridge, with the Cleveland Co Health Department] said. “They supplement their income by raising pups. We had the Department of Agriculture and the Humane Society with us. There were no cruelty violations.”
During last year’s visit, during which no violations were found, “Lockridge said the owner was made aware of legislation before the N.C. Legislature, House Bill 930.” The bill lays out requirements for facilities keeping more than 10 intact female dogs.
At the visit last week, AC again brought up the bill, which has still not been enacted into law:
On Thursday, officers reminded the owner about the proposed legislation.
“We told them if the legislation passes, they would be in violation,” he said.
After being visited by badge flashers for the second time in a year, and being reminded that although they weren’t being accused of any legal violations now, if a proposed bill passed and became state law they would be in violation of that new law, the owners decided to turn over 23 of their dogs to the officers.
How is this not harassment by authorities at least and abuse of power at worst?
I have no knowledge of the situation at this property and if circumstances warranted, I would be fully supportive of an effort by private citizens to offer assistance to the owners. But sending in the cavalry – not once but twice – when the ace up their sleeve is the threat of a proposed bill? That is wrong. And while some animal welfare advocates may be inclined to shrug off what I consider to be an abuse of power by local authorities since you know, evil dog breeders blah blah, I refer you to the beginning of this post. And I further remind you of what the “rescued” dogs faced upon impound at this gassing facility:
Who are the bad guys again?
(Thanks Dot for sending me links on this story.)