LETTER: Darlington County has problem with stray animals

Darlington County, my adopted home, has a problem with unwanted and stray domestic animals – specifically dogs and cats. We see them running alongside and across roadways and inside mall parking areas. In the countryside, they are sometimes seen running in small packs. Try going to a hay field after dark and shining a light across the field, about one foot above the ground. I think you would be surprised at the number of glowing feline eyes you would see.

These animals pose safety, health and image problems for Darlington County. How many people have a “dog ran across the road” story for a car accident? Not all are excuses. Giardia, rabies, coccidia, worms and conjunctivitis can be spread from unwanted and stray animals to humans. Even more diseases can be spread from the strays to wanted animals. Visitors from other states and neighboring counties comment on the number of animals running loose in our county and the generally poor condition of their health. That embarrasses me.

We citizens need to help solve this problem. A way to start eliminating the unwanted and stray animals is to collect the ones we have and provide for them. Help from the city of Hartsville can be reached at (843) 383-3019. An employee at codes enforcement, (843) 398-4401, will ask an animal control officer to pick up ANY unwanted animal – an owner’s or a stray - outside city limits. Any citizen can bring unwanted animals to the county animal shelter in Darlington, (843) 398-4402. The Darlington County Humane Society Rescue Group works relentlessly to get animals healthy and find homes for them.

At the same time, we need to stop reproduction of unwanted animals through spaying and neutering ALL animals not intended specifically for breeding purposes. Hartsville and Darlington veterinarians are willing to perform this procedure. A low cost spay/neuter clinic is available in Columbia at (803) 783-1267 or www.humanesocietysc.org/clinic.aspx. The Darlington County Humane Society can help get a small number of animals spayed or neutered at a reduced cost. If help is needed with that, an owner must come to the animal shelter to fill out the appropriate paperwork.

Straying animals need to be contained on the owners’ property. I understand some people from an agrarian background, like me, feel animals need their freedom. But, domestic animals were never roaming freely over the earth. They were developed through animal husbandry by people and suited only for domestic living.

Can you just imagine a long-haired dog or cat surviving South Carolina’s humidity and insects without getting diseases like mange and infections under all the mats that would develop in their coats? How would long-eared dogs clear mites and yeast infections? How do they not develop heartworm infestations?

Animals that should roam freely are suited for it. Foxes, squirrels and coyotes struggle to survive with all their natural skills and physical adaptations. Domestic animals rarely have a chance.

Overpopulation of unwanted animals is our problem. And, we can solve it.