Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Animals deserve more in Bentonville, county
Just recently, the Bentonville City Council voted to end its agreement with Rogers to pick up lost and stray cats and dogs. Rogers animal control did an excellent job. The City Council decided to pay Centerton a specified amount of money to take over that service. The Centerton animal control has room for only a small number of dogs and no services for cats. They say they are going to build more kennels, but nothing will be done for cats.
My point: Bentonville and Benton County presents themselves as THE shining beacon on the hill. Beautiful downtown, recreational facilities, jobs galore, and under all the glitter, a heart as cold as stone. If we were the shining beacon on the hill we would have our own wonderful shelter that would be supported by all the deep pockets and the shallow pockets that would volunteer to help and make a contribution.
The county is no better. Look on their website. You will find no services for animals. Even small towns around the Northwest Arkansas area have shelters and they don’t have near the money Bentonville and Benton County generates. Eureka Springs, Bella Vista, Fort Smith and even more economically challenged towns in central and eastern Arkansas like Conway, Little Rock, Forrest City and Marion are trying their best to service and serve the least of the creatures that live in their area. But not Bentonville or Benton County.
What a shame. People should write their City Council members, contact Mayor Bob McCaslin and County Judge Barry Moehring. Their contact numbers are on the websites. Tell them how pitiful and small their decisions have made this area look. ANITA MARIE WADE Bella Vista