Progress made at the dog pound

Progress made at the dog pound

At long last the Mahoning County Dog Pound is being transformed into a true animal shelter. This is a result of the philosophy and vision of the new dog warden, Matt Ditchey, and the combined efforts of the entire staff, as well as rescue groups dedicated to finding new loving homes for the dogs that end up at the pound for one reason or another. As Mr. Ditchey commented recently to TV and The Vindicator, the pound “is no longer a place where dogs come to die.” He believes they “deserve a second chance” and is trying to give that chance to as many pound dogs as possible.

Mahoning Valley residents can assist the dog warden’s efforts by continuing to come to the pound just as they did July 30, when they packed the parking lot to overflowing during a 3-hour adopt-a-thon and adopted 15 of the 50-some dogs available.

Another way to help that is critical in keeping dogs from the pound is to have your dog spayed or neutered so accidental pregnancies don’t happen. The Mahoning County Dog Pound has a mandatory spay/neuter policy for its adopted dogs. It’s time for Ohio to have a state mandatory policy. Even with legitimate exceptions, this would reduce the steady stream of throwaway dogs needing second chances.

A third way to help is to become a volunteer dogwalker. While Mr. Ditchey’s vision includes the addition of an indoor/outdoor shelter that would eliminate the cages currently used to house the dogs and provide comfortable and clean living areas, it will take time and money to make that happen. In the meantime, providing these dogs some relief from these extremely small spaces they are in 24/7 is a great way to help. As a longtime volunteer walker I can attest to the benefit the dogs get with even a short walk out of their long days. It helps their temperament, making them more adoptable. Their joy is unmistakable. And, to see their appreciative and happy tail-wagging lifts my spirits as well.

Richard Fogo, Youngstown

Are judges pulling their weight?

The recent ruling in the case of Austintown Patrolman Ross J. Linert brought negative comments regarding juries in the Mahoning Valley. Why was Judge Curran on the bench? Was there a Mahoning County elected judge assigned to the case? Why did he or she pass it on?

I had a civil case this summer that was assigned to Judge Evans, but it ended up with Curran, I was told two different excuses on why it was passed on. I asked that week if Judge Evans was in the courthouse that week; I was told, no. The judge looked to be sleeping twice, allowed jurors to be dismissed for pathetic reasons, then decided to bore the jury with instructions that actually told them that if they vote “no” then it’s over and “we’re going home.” We ended up with eight jurors and one alternate. The rest were dismissed, and the nine that were left were not happy that they didn’t get to get out of jury duty. Civil cases can be long, tedious and boring.

How many civil cases are assigned to the county judges? How many are actually heard by county judges? What hours do they keep? Judge Curran did start his court promptly and after the first day, we were told that security must leave the courthouse or be paid overtime. Court had to end by 4:45 p.m.

I am asking all safety officers as well as all residents of Mahoning County not to vote for another judge unless they state their record and how many cases they reschedule. Maybe the candidates for county prosecutor could make it a campaign issue. Cut the budget by having all visiting judges.

Like Officer Linert, I lost my case. I am a paraplegic, and money would not have changed that. You can vote to have competent judges who show up and work a full day. If you’re called for jury, show up. It’s not an invitation to a party.

The Mahoning County court system already has a negative reputation. I find it interesting that a criminal case (especially a death penalty case) gets news coverage, and the elected officials always show up for those.

Officer Linert and I will live with our injuries until death.

Nancy L. Hazel, Canfield

Obama adviser moved jobs too

A recent letter ran under the heading “Taxes were cut and jobs moved” caused me to wonder how much the writer knows about the things going on in Washington D.C.

The letter talks of jobs moved and tax breaks to wealthy people and corporations. It makes no mention of the fact that Mr. Obama appointed as his jobs adviser Jeffrey Immelt, the CEO of General Electric, which has moved thousands of jobs overseas and paid zero taxes on billions of dollars earned. Hundreds of these jobs were from our own Valley.

Robert Husted, New Springfield