[Editorial] Time to Be Responsible, Pet Owners

April 9, 2008

This issue of the Jackson Free Press, owned and operated by animal lovers, is dedicated to the idea that Jackson, and Mississippi as a whole, can quickly become a whole lot smarter when it comes to taking care of animals. Even though the state has long had a bit of a laissez-faire culture—choosing to put certain things off or justify not taking action altogether—the issue of animal care must be high on our priority list.

Even if you do not love animals and care about what happens to them, the city itself suffers if too many animals are running loose—creating dangers for walkers, runners, cyclists, children and other animals. The quality of life here—and ultimately our economic well-being—is affected by irresponsible care of animals.

The first step is looking at your own actions. Do you allow pets outside that have not been spayed or neutered? Do you allow large dogs to roam free to threaten pedestrians, attack smaller animals and run the risk of being hit by cars? Do you refrain from scooping your animal’s poop, or allow them to defecate on sidewalks, in the streets or in other people’s yards? Do you have animals that have not been tested for disease or received the appropriate preventive care? Do you run or ride bicycles pulling a dog alongside you, supposedly so they can get “their” exercise? Do you treat animals as mere entertainment, even putting them in harm’s way in order to amuse your friends? Do you have cats de-clawed, thus causing them intense pain and endangering their lives should they get outside?

As Adam Lynch discusses in his cover story this issue, the state of Mississippi lags behind many other states in its overall culture of animal care. It can seem as if even many urban pet owners think they live on the end of a dirt road in the sticks where no cars ever drive by, and the closest neighbor is 30 miles away.

This is just not the case for most Mississippians. We live among others, and just as we should probably lock our doors nowadays, we should also examine the attitudes about pet care that we grew up with. It is easy enough to look at a case of pit-bull fighting and see the abject horror, but we must also see the cruelty we are inflicting if we do not take the time and initiative to spay or neuter our animals, or decide not to have an animal if we’re more worried about the furniture than we are their well-being.

It is time to grow up when it comes to pet care, Mississippians. And if you are already caring for animals wisely, do what you can to help educate others and contribute time and resources to the needs of stray and abused animals.

posted by kaust on 04/11/08 at 01:56 PM

posted by L.W. on 04/11/08 at 02:41 PM