Trenton is putting dogs before people with costly shelter endeavors
Bow-wow-wowyippie-yo-yippieyeah Bow-wow-yippie-yo-yippie-yeah Bow-wow-wow-yippie-yo-yippie-yeah Bow-wow-yippie-yoyippie-yeah.
Thanks to George Clinton, musician, singer, bandleader, record producer and psychedelic funk master for that introduction, lifted from his 1982 release of Atomic Dog. The song includes the famous inquiry, Why must I feel like that, why must I chase the cat? — nothing but the dog in me.
Asked and answered. Someone suggested a look at the YouTube post of the Trenton City Council meeting on Nov. 3 as a discussion and debate involved whether lives of animals were as important as humans.
Negro, please. In some Trenton circles, black dogs matter more than Black lives. White dogs matter more than people without shelter and others that deal with food insecurity daily.
Folks in this capital city, those that fight passionately for the rights of animals, their livelihood and safety, rarely raise their voices for Black and Latino people whose neighborhoods face constant gun violence, crime, and social deterioration.
Concerns that euthanasia as an option for an out-of-control dog population overrides any feelings for the pile of Blacks and Latinos murdered annually in one of the most dangerous U.S. cities.
Yvette Graffie Cooper, a health officer for the Trenton Health Department told City Council members that animal rights activists have labeled her a “murderer” after several dogs under city oversight were put down after the Trenton Animal Shelter faced overcrowding. City officials have dealt with an overpopulation of dogs by housing approximately 65 canines in a Yardley, Pa. kennel.
Cooper told City Council members that the health department, “has been reduced to just animal control.”
“We are more than animal control. We (oversee) the city’s lead program. Trenton is one of the highest municipalities in the state when it comes to lead poisoning in our children. If children are our future, then there is going to be a bunch of children with developmental issues because of lead.”
Enter Octavia Sutphin, 74, a city resident upset that the city budgeted $60,000 for senior citizen activities. Sutphin said she loves dogs, even had a German Shepherd named Hunter as a companion before she could not provide the exercise and attention he needed. Sutphin found her friend an adequate home.
“I love animals as much as anyone, dogs especially,” Sutphin, an informed resident on various city issues, explained.
“An overpopulation of domestic animals causes financial problems for the city. The capturing, impounding, and potential euthanasia of animals can cost millions. From September 2022 until now, the city has housed about 75 dogs in a Yardley kennel. We’ve paid almost $700,000 for (kennel services), $300,000 for vet services, and there’s about $290,000 to install electricity and plumbing for two trailers.”
Monies allotted for utility services at two trailers will create office space at the Animal Shelter, freeing up room for additional housing in the main building.
Sutphin offered an observation about the animal vs. people conundrum.
“All this money being spent on animals does not sound right to me and looks even worse on paper,” Sutphin said. She asked City Council members to consider their lives if they reach senior citizen status.
“Think about would you want your life and well-being to be on the same scale as a dog? Although we love our pets like family, would you trade your grandmother’s life and well-being for your dog’s life and well-being?
“How we can put an animal’s life on the same scale as a human being is beyond me. I’m sorry.”
No need for an apology, Ms. Sutphin. More people should stand with you on this issue, just as a matter of human principle.
Plus, our animal control problems could be improved if someone accepted the lead on this costly and challenging matter.
Wise and experienced animal rights supporters have offered to help Trenton develop and implement ideas on numerous issues but receive no invitation from city officials.
By day’s end, animals and people pay the price of inaction regarding Trenton’s animal companion problem.