If you travel in the second poorest city in the nation which includes a crime problem most probably related to drug problems, in my opinion, you are in Reading, Pennsyvlania.
Reading is the fifth most populated city in Pennsyvlania. With a population over 88,000 (as of 2012), you’re going to find homes filled with pets.
One only has to drive/walk through the streets of Reading to see people walking their dogs, mainly pit bulls. But, that it isn’t the problem I’m seeing as of late.
As you maneuver your vehicle throughout the city, one can’t but notice a barrage of small dogs on the loose.
These tiny creatures are running everywhere. Many are chihuahuas, the second favorite breed of dog in the city but, not all. Other breeds are what you see many celebrities have- pocket-sized dogs.
As you try to capture one to save its life, the dog runs away from you. Only last week, one was quite evasive as it allowed you to get so close only to bolt. Then this dog stopped on the street and proceeded to lay down in the middle of the road. Other people saw it and tried to help but the dog took off as fast as it could.
This is a daily occurrence in Reading. My husband has tried to save quite a few dogs in the city. He has been successful but lately, it has become impossible to catch them.
The people who are guardians over these dog’s lives must not care enough to seek out their dogs because there are simply too many running at large.
What does one do to protect and save these innocent dogs?
How many have licenses or microchips? I’m assuming not many.
So, what are we supposed to do as private citizens who care about their lives? They’re going to get hit or killed. It’s only a matter of time.
They didn’t ask to come into this world or to be placed in homes where they’re not being taken care of properly.
It isn’t the responsibility of the local Animal Rescue League or the Humane Society to go capture them either.
I saved a chihuahua in Reading who was 17 yrs. old, had four teeth and walked very slowly. I walked door to door to seek out his guardian. No one knew of the dog. It couldn’t have walked very far. I called both animal control agencies to see if someone was looking for this cute male dog. Because of his age, I knew if I had taken him to either shelter, his chances, at that time, of surviving were next to none. So I held onto him while searching for his original home.
I never found his former guardian. Since I already had a dog in an apartment in Reading (and we were lucky to have him since no pets were allowed but the landlord made an exception), I asked my dad to hold onto him until I found a new home for him.
Luckily for both of them, both found a new best friend in each other. Tiny had four abscessed teeth- his last four teeth. He was in alot of pain. We didn’t know if he would survive the surgery.
Tiny did and he lived until the ripe old age of 19!
Sadly, with all of these tiny dogs getting out of their homes and roaming freely, I don’t see many surviving to a ripe old age.
When are the guardians/caretakers/parents of these dogs going to be responsible for their own dogs and take care of them which includes not allowing them to get our of their homes or backyards unattended?
I’m sick and tired of people, no matter where you live, placing their responsibilites on others when it comes to our four-legged friends! All across the nation, pets lose their lives every day because of irresponsible people like this. It needs to stop!
This is everywhere and why so many animals lose their lives at kill shelters! People sicken me and that’s why I love animals more than people.
Because they’re lazy! They get everything handed to them. They don’t care as long as they don’t have to clean up after them. Makes me so angry.
It is heartbreaking. Lucky for the older little ones, the ARL does have a foster program, Gray Muzzle that takes many older dogs to save them, but there is only so much a shelter can do. The numbers are overwhelming. There is a total lack of respect for these animals that are supposedly loved. To many people do not take responsibility for their children or their pets.
This is why the arl is so full of chi’s and pit bulls. People could care less about their dogs. The novelty wears off and they let them run loose.
People are idiots!
I always thought their owners who may be older could not walk them , let them out to run abit and whistle for them later. There are little dogs running around but they always disappear after being spotted. We simply cannot look after every little thing that is making trouble for us when so many are experiencing trouble trying to make ends meet (and I’ve begun to feel they are not going to meet anytime soon). We do not have animals we can not care for financially simple story. Maybe this is why the coyote population is moving into the cities. To clean up the messes left by those who do not think before they act. If you cannot live with this fact that your pet may be eaten, abused or run over and not die right away then find someone to take them or never have one in the first place.
This is so frustrating and heart breaking! Those poor animals. If you decide to have a pet, you NEED to take care of it! That’s your responsibility- not other individuals’.
Why are there so many feral cats in Reading? People let their cats run free and reproduce. Irresponsible people.