Those who killed dogs must be taken off streets
Those who killed dogs
must be taken off streets
EDITOR:
Your article detailing the police and humane authorities’ discovery of countless dog carcasses and evidence pointing to dogfighting in a neighborhood behind Eagle Heights Academy should make everyone’s hair stand on end (“Many dog carcasses found by old South High,” 9/19/07).
As the gruesome details of Michael Vick’s indictment reveal, dogfighting is heinous cruelty to animals. Dogs are typically kept outdoors on heavy chains 24 hours a day, starved, beaten and taunted into aggression. If they lose a fight, they are often shot or burned alive.
Anyone who is capable of such cruelty apparently hasn’t grasped the pre-school concepts of empathy or self-control. Animal abusers are cowards who take their issues out on “easy victims” — and they rarely limit themselves to harming other species. It’s no wonder that the FBI has found that a history of cruelty to animals regularly appears in its records of serial rapists and murderers.
Let’s hope those responsible for killing these dogs are quickly brought to justice, for everyone’s safety. We must work together to get these dangerous individuals off the streets. To learn more, visit www.HelpingAnimals.com.
MARTIN MERSEREAU
Norfolk, Va.
X Merserau is a casework manager in the Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue and Information Department of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Loss of health insurance
brings man to brink of death
EDITOR:
What do we do about health insurance?
There are around 45 million Americans without it. They are uninsurable through private companies, or they don't qualify for state run insurance programs. I happen to be one of these poeple.
Back in the summer of 2002, I contracted a very nasty viral infection. This damaged some of my heart muscle causing new life-long problems. Doctors had to implant a Pacemaker/defibrillator into my chest to keep my heart in tune.
Some doctors said full recovery was not likely, but I did recover some in time.
So I followed the advice of some and applied for SSI (disability pay).
As it turns out, I was told I'm too heathy, go back to work. Well I did just that. I was able to work off and on over the next five years or so. Keep in mind that because I was working,.sort of, my short-term insurance ran out.
Now because I wasn't working a lot, I lost a lot of things I can't afford: one or two cars, many personal items, clothes, furniture, etc. I was even homeless for a time not being able to pay my bills and rent. I still don't have insurance now.
My condition requires regular doctor visits and several medications that I can’t afford, so I had to stop.
Early September 2007, I was rushed to the hospital. The battery in my pacemaker was dead. That almost killed me. Once again, doctors saved me with new one. Now the question still stands: "What do I do about health insurance?"
I'm in the same boat as before, still needing doctor care and new medications.
The doctor told me I can't do the job I have anymore; it might harm my pacemaker.
So now, once again, I'm out of a job due to this illness.
I wonder how many people live like I do — in fear of dying and under a constant stress. Remember I know the possibility of this illness killing me is very real. Will someone be there to call 911 next time? Will they find me dead because I couldn't call myself. Maybe I'll end up homeless again and die in a homless shelter. God only knows for sure.
This is a lesson in gratitude: If you have heath insurance you better be real thankful you do, because without it, you might end up like me.
ERIC HORNER
Edinburg, Pa.