By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to The Star-Herald
This past weekend, the Kiwanis Home, Garden and Recreation Show was a huge success. We met many people who were eager to tell us about the pet they adopted from the Central Aroostook Humane Society and how much they love them. These stories are what keep us going. It is wonderful for the Kiwanis Club of Presque Isle to support our shelter as they do. It is greatly appreciated and helps us to spread the word about responsible pet ownership, and spaying and neutering. Lucky door prize winners are as follows: Joe McDonald, pet waterer; Pat Redner, dog garden ornament; and Ellie Goheen, T-shirt. Congratulations!!
Another success for us this weekend was Story Time with the Animals. The children were able to meet a bird, rabbit, kitten, dog and some turtles, and learn about responsible pet care. The kids asked a lot of great questions and Jennifer Howlett was a wonderful and knowledgeable facilitator. If you missed it this month, please join us next month, May 19, for the next one. The kids really seem to enjoy it, and you never know what type of animal is going to be there!!
As the weather gets warmer, a troubling new issue arises – dogs untethered in the back of pickup trucks. It is troubling because it is dangerous to everyone. It is especially dangerous to the dog, which could lose his balance and fall off the truck, possibly falling into traffic. It is dangerous to other drivers who may have to swerve to miss a dog that has fallen or jumped. It is State of Maine Law, Title 29-A Motor Vehicles, Chapter 19 operation, Transporting dogs in open vehicle regulated. This law states “a person driving an open vehicle may NOT transport a dog in the open portion of that vehicle on a public way unless the dog is protected in a manner that prevents the dog from falling or jumping or being thrown from the vehicle.”
If you see this happening, it needs to be reported to the police. Your report may save the dog’s life. I have witnessed dogs falling, being thrown when trucks take corners too quickly, or when dogs jump to get to a pedestrian or another dog. It is just plain scary. I don’t want a dog coming through my windshield and I don’t want my kids witnessing a dog jumping and then being hit. This is all about being responsible and understanding that it is our responsibility to keep our pets safe. Riding unrestrained in an open vehicle is dangerous and illegal.
If you are looking for a “friend for life,” please consider adopting from the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We have many wonderful cats and dogs looking for homes. We are open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. You can also give us a call at 764-3441 or visit us on line at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org.
Please join us for the Paws for the Cause Walk, June 2. Pledge sheets are available at the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
