2-2-2000

Mayor George Wagner
City Hall
207 Church St
Dunlap, TN 37237

Dear Mayor Wagner,

I am writing on behalf of In Defense of Animals (IDA) and its 75,000 members nationwide concerning your Animal Ordinance, #148-which would regulate Animal Control within the City of Dunlap, TN. We understand that you are planning to allow "Pound Seizure," the sale of pound animals that have not been claimed or who have been relinquished by their families to the highest bidder. Please allow me to explain why we are in opposition to this practice.

First and foremost, I work as manager of the IDA Stolen Pet Program and have investigated the thefts of thousands of dogs and cats since 1995. We have found that when a local animal shelter decides to sell pound animals, a much higher rate of pet theft occurs in those areas. In part, because there exists a profit motive to sell animals. High demand animal research has created a market for dogs and cats and has insured animal dealers hefty incomes. While many pound workers are ethical and hard working, the temptation to sell homeless animals by the back door for quick cash is an all too familiar reality across our country.

No one can be certain their own beloved pet will never fall into the hands of researchers as long as pets from pounds are allowed to be research subjects. A lost or stolen pet may not be located or rescued in time to prevent tragedy. Pound seizure can also result in a loss of revenue for many reasons. Where there is public awareness that impounded animals will be sold for research, public trust in the Shelter is tarnished. People abandon animals, which creates more work for animal control personnel, adds to the formation of dog packs and the destruction of livestock, and creates health and safety problems. Pound seizure actually increases the cost of tax-supported animal control.

Please reconsider and not allow animals to be sold from the Dunlap Pound.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Hersman,
Dir, Midwest Regional Office, IDA