New neuter proposal

No one loves dogs more than I. And just because I have a world-class hunting and show dog certainly does not diminish my love for those precious animals that are less fortunate than mine.

But I question the wisdom behind our city government, which is considering an ordinance that would require owners to pay an annual fee if they do not neuter or spay their pets. Show dogs, service animals and those declared exempt by their vet would not require surgery.

I understand that this is designed to help control the population of strays on our streets. But how is this going to be enforced?

We have leash ordinances but we do not have adequate staff to enforce leash laws. A spay and neutering ordinance is virtually unenforceable without costly door-to-door enforcement to check for sex organs.

This type of ordinance also is discriminatory to low-income pet owners and will result in more pets given up to pet shelters. And fixing pets at six months age is clearly too young, as many purebreds do not fully develop until age two.

I am glad I do not have to make that decision.

I urge the council to contact other cities, such as Dallas, and review the results that their mandatory spay and neuter programs have revealed and at what cost.

David Boehner

McGregor

School mishandling

As a parent of three children who attend Alta Vista Montessori Magnet School, I have been shocked and appalled by the developments in the Fernando Campos story. Campos, a bilingual teacher, was suspended and then reinstated while an investigation was ensuing regarding charges that he sexually assaulted a child.

I, like many parents, feel Waco ISD has grossly mishandled this matter, and they have forgotten who they are supposed to protect first: the children.

Elli Harris

Waco

‘Potty-mouth’

 Vice President Joe Biden really opened his big mouth last week with his crass remark that the passage of the health care bill was a bleeping big deal.

Prior to January 2009 most of us had reverence for the office of the vice president. That has been flushed down the toilet with the likes of potty-mouth Biden.

Bess Tucker

Waco

Different, not equal

As I recall, when the great push for insurance reform began, President Obama said that everyone should have the same kind of health care as their representatives in Washington.

Now we are hearing that the folks who have so proudly passed this bill are not included. 

What kind of health care will they now have and where will they get it?

Since U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, voted against it, will he have to have the same insurance that the rest of us will have?

Helen K. Hood

McGregor

Lawmaker’s vote

Say goodbye, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards. You crossed the line by voting against health care reform. Sure, it wasn’t a perfect bill. But it’s a step in the right direction.

See ya at the polls.

Charles Williams

Meridian