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Forcing the Issue
Humane Society leader launches task force
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
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Jenny Pike, president of the Humane Society of Columbiana County, is launching a task force to find better ways to deal with pet neglect and abuse. Here she holds Tommy, a cat the society has rescued.
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HANDLING WITH CARE: Sheri Stanley, manager of the Humane Society of Columbiana County’s kennel, checks out Emma, a recently rescued mixed-breed dog. The society hopes to find better ways to deal with pet overpopulation, irresponsible breeding and animal cruelty and neglect.
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Jenny Pike, president of the Humane Society of Columbiana County, is launching a task force to find better ways to deal with pet neglect and abuse. Here she holds Tommy, a cat the society has rescued.
SALEM — Jenny Pike, president of the Humane Society of Columbiana County, wants a change. A big change.
She is launching a countywide task force to find better ways to deal with pet overpopulation, irresponsible breeding and animal cruelty and neglect.
Jan Palmer has been the county’s full-time county humane agent for the past year.
Palmer said that some weeks when she deals with one problem, another arises before she can resolve the first one.
In other words, Pike said, “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
Without a change in the way problems are handled, she added, “The money [to operate] is going to dry up. We can throw one dollar after the other, and there is no end in sight.”
Pike plans to involve public officials, police, businesses, veterinarians, agriculture community and the public.
About a year ago, Pike and State Rep. Linda Bolon of Columbiana, D-1st, looked to see if there was any federal stimulus money that might help address the problem, but there was none.
Bolon said Friday she will look to see if other money is available for the program.
“This isn’t just about animal welfare,” Pike said. “We’re out to clean up the county.”
When local jobs dried up, there were documented reports of animals’ being locked in homes when families left the area. Palmer said the society recently had a successful program for first-graders in East Liverpool to help explain the realities and responsibilities of owning and taking care of animals.
Another issue is a need for education. The society is constantly bombarded with phones calls with questions about animals, including a report of a cat up in tree. That takes time away from dealing with the animals.
“We want to be proactive,” Pike said.
Penny Traina, president of the commissioners, has stressed collaborative efforts and supports Pike’s plan.
Dawn Croft, the county’s dog warden, said she was unaware of the plan but added that the county pound has been successful in finding homes for animals, often in other states, via the Internet.
For more information, visit: www.columbianahumane.org or www.colcodogs.com.
wilkinson@vindy.com