Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Animal Control Program Is Successful

Gurdon's animal control program has been successful since its inception.

Carroll Martin, the animal control officer, spoke to the Gurdon Rotary Club Thursday, Feb. 11, about the job.

Martin showed a film depicting what happens to animals when they are left to roam around streets and when they are picked up and taken to animal shelters.

One male dog, not neutered, can sire 67,000 puppies in a six year period. One male dog can get several female dogs pregnant in a year's time.

He said when an area has been cleared of strays, if it's left alone the dogs will reappear.

When an animal is picked up and taken to the pound, Martin said, it is held at least five days. If it's not claimed or adopted within this time, it could be put to sleep.

Euthanasia is required in operating a pound, he said, otherwise there wouldn't be room for all the dogs.

Since the program began in Gurdon six months ago, 140 dogs have been taken to Arkadelphia, and most have been destroyed.

"This isn't my favorite part of the job," he said. "We're working on an adoption program and plan to put pictures of the dogs in the paper. They make good pets."

According to the film, the domestication of dogs began approximately 12,000 years ago between man and wolf.

The two shared the same hunting grounds and stole food from one another.

It is possible stolen wolf cubs were domesticated and thereby became the first dogs.

From there, different breeds were created for specific purposes primarily hunting.

Today's dog, though, is not part of the natural eco-system. They are companion animals without the survival skills of their primitive brethren, depending on man for food, shelter and protection.

The Humane Society was first formed to protect both animals and children. This was during a period when children were worked long hours in sweatshops and were often treated cruelly.

But, as more and more laws were passed to protect children, the Humane Society focused on protecting animals.

Many people allow their pets to roam around, thinking it is cruel to have them penned up. However, roaming animals are in danger.

These dogs can pose hazards for motorists and can be killed by cars when they run into the road.

They are also more prone to become diseased as they are exposed to other animals.

Part of the problem is there are too many animals for the shelters and owners. This is why so many have to be put down. Euthanasia is not a solution to the problem, Martin said, but is a symptom of the problem.

It is important to have animals spayed or neutered so they won't have the instinct to reproduce and will be less likely to roam around. Additionally, these animals tend to be more affectionate, calmer and healthier.

Another idea, he said is to adopt animals from shelters and pounds instead of going to pet stores and paying high prices. The animals from pounds and shelters make excellent pets and companions.