Dear editor:

I am writing about the animal control problem in the Chilton County area. I grew up in a small town in North Alabama. There were always animals around and plenty of strays to go with them. But I have never been in an area as bad as this area.

I am an animal lover, but whoever thinks that dumping out an animal on a dirt road is going to assure a happy home for it needs to think again. I have several animals of my own that I spend plenty of money on in food and vet care a month. As much as I would love to feed these animals, I just can’t feasibly do it.

I have asked around about what to do about it and was told if I took them to the animal shelter that I would be charged $40 per animal. I have lived down here since July and already have had six stray dogs come up. There is no way that I could afford to pay $40 per animal to try and do the humane thing by them that their previous owners failed to do.

I have also noticed that several people that do have pets fail to feed them. It’s really sad.

I try not to judge folks, and most of the time I keep out of others’ business and just tend to my own. But something really needs to be done about this situation. I do understand how hard this must be on the officials down here since there are more important things to focus on in some eyes. But not in mine because I am the one who bought the land and house on the dirt road that folks choose to dump their unwanted pets out on. I am the one who has to live and deal with this every day.

When you can’t even feed your own dogs for having to run six off, that’s when you know there is a problem.

Charity Hardiman, Clanton