The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

As petition for no-kill shelter circulates, one man says every stray 'should be put down immediately'
Deadline to apply for shelter manager position is Jan. 14

By The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
CUMBERLAND, Dec. 31 -- As animal welfare advocates circulate a petition to encourage the Allegany County Animal Shelter to be converted to a no-kill facility, a Cumberland resident told commissioners Thursday that all strays should be euthanized "immediately."

Volunteers with Queen City Animal Rescue and Tri-State Animal Advocates created an unofficial but noteworthy online petition on Dec. 26. In less than five days, more than 785 electronic signatures have been collected from around the world.

There are no residency requirements for the petition. It's unofficial, but volunteers who recently have helped overhaul the Allegany County Animal Shelter plan to present it to the Allegany County Board of Commissioners as they prepare to begin vetting candidates for the vacant position of shelter manager. Under pressure for questionable tactics, former manager Camille Carrico resigned two weeks ago.

But Wilmont, a Fort Avenue resident, said strays taken in at the shelter are dangerous and pose threats of health and safety to shelter staff and volunteers alike.

"Every stray animal that comes into that shelter should be put down immediately," said Wilmont, 75.

He said the animals are filthy, carry germs and "if one bites you, you can die from it."

He questioned who is liable if one of the new army of volunteers, 30-plus strong, is bitten or scratched and needs medical attention.

"Who's going to pay for insurance," Wilmont asked.

Wilmont said volunteers aren't needed anyway. By his figuring, the shelter takes in up to five animals a day. Four shelter workers "should be sufficient," he said, to complete each day's tasks.

Local volunteers promoting animal welfare insist a no-kill facility would, in fact, put down some animals. The approach "comments to euthanizing only companion animals that are either irremediably injured or terminally ill, as determined by a board-certified doctor of veterinary medicine ..." according to the online petition.

"All healthy and treatable companion animals are to be nurtured, treated as needed and guaranteed a realistic chance at adopt well beyond the current short time frame."

The county commissioners did not directly respond to Wilmont's comments. Commission President Mike McKay said the shelter is "an issue we're working on" and refrained from further comment.

In a somewhat related issue, Wilmont expressed frustration over what he perceives as a lack of response from county officials regarding his complaint that a neighbor has five dogs that never stop barking.

"I have tried, to no avail, to have these dogs quieted down," Wilmont said.

He said he's told by Animal Control that "as long as these animals are not being abused ... They can bark as long as they want to, when they want to, and I have to put up with it. I don't think it's fair. I pay taxes. These dogs don't pay no taxes. They don't vote. I vote."

Commissioner Bill Valentine, however, said the county has been responsive to Wilmont and has tried to help as much as possible. The system, he said, is working.

Valentine said he met with Wilmont at his home, talked with six neighbors and also had Wilmont in his county office for about an hour on Wednesday along with Barry Levine, assistant county attorney. In addition, Allegany County Animal Control officers have issued four citations tot he owner of the dogs and Dick DeVore, acting deputy director of the Allegany County Department of Public Safety, has visited Wilmont on two occasions.

A hearing in District Court is scheduled for Jan. 19. Valentine said neither he, nor DeVore or the Cumberland Police Department officers who respond to Wilmont's complaints have ever heard the dogs bark.

"Neighbors report periods of barking, mainly when the owner leaves for work and returns from work," Valentine said.

"(The dogs' owner) could be found guilty with a 30-day jail sentence and up to a $500 fine," Valentine said. The fine could "increase with each additional complaint. I would think that would get somebody's attention real fast."