The July 16 issue of The Citizen gave the impression that Auburn was going to the dogs - and cats. (A letter to the editor, “No more excuses, keep your dog on a leash” and “Our View: Cooperation needed to curb cat population,” about the large number of feral cats.) I have been thinking about both ever since they appeared.

The problem, of course, is people. Years ago, dogs often ran loose in neighborhoods or in small towns without incidents occurring. Dogs not meant to run freely were kept behind fences or on a leash.

Walking with a leash requires empathy of the owners and sometimes special training so they can, in turn, train their dogs. We see dogs and owners walking out of sync, with the dogs in charge.

As for too many cats, the cost of ownership has become prohibitive for many who would make good owners. With the current economic downturn, more cats are being turned in to shelters or abandoned - and more money will be requested to keep the latter from breeding. Taxpayers may balk at government money being spent for this purpose.

While people find trap-alter-release programs attractive for controlling cat populations, it does little for the adult cats, who return to the same, often hostile, world. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), the American Veterinary Medical Association and the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) all favor finding suitable homes, with euthanasia as the most compassionate option for those not adoptable. Intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital administered by a trained professional is the only method these groups approve.

The current national movement, supported by Oprah Winfrey, to get everyone desiring a companion animal to go to a shelter, could significantly reduce the number of unwanted animals.

Byrna Weir

Rochester

Jones is chairperson of the Indian Affairs Citizens Advisory Committee, Seneca

County Board of Supervisors