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Show wm’ “DHE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 May 1, 2006 Guest Commentary Letters to the Editor Letter Asks Citizen to Take Responsibility for Care of Property Huntsville Hometown Heroines I have two home town, home grown heroines; they are truly a blessing to my family, and want to praise them for all their sacrifice and hard work on our behalf. Their work with my children is having long lasting effects—not just for my own, but for nearly210 other children with disabilities. You see, I'ma mber for the School for high functioning autism and asperger children. The board meets between four to six times a month in South Salt Lake, and the commute is over an hour long each way. The meetings average two hours. So, with the commute, I’m gone for nearly five hours. This is a long time to watch five children—two of which have disabilities. Fortunately, Shyanne Hood and Kali Frazier volunteer their time for this great cause. Together they work as a team. They are able to take care of dinner, play time, homework, readin; schedules, bath time, cleaning up the dishes, sweeping the floor after meal times, getting everyone to brush their teeth—no easy task with the sensory issues we have—and, finally, getting the children to bed. They truly follow the schedule, rou- g The Channel 5 television news clip that aired last week on your herd of sheep was most distressing. As a Huntsville resident, I have to concur with their reports. The condition of your animals and of your property is appalling. Your lawyer states that you are not breaking any laws. Maybe you are. There are laws of common decency and common sense to name just two r how about having a little personal pride in what you do? Here are a few questions forSa (and all of us here in the Valley) to pon Residents in Huntsville have alerted our organization of a horrifying case of mass animal neglect that broadens into cruelty by definition, involving a flock of sheep and a condemned home housing live and dead animals owned by WSU professor Dr. Susan McKay. The story was recently broadcast on KSL News. ¢ Asa caretaker why are you so insensitive to ° * tine. function. I am that the kids are in order. And happy and well Director of Wasatch Humane Concerned Over Treatment of Huntsville Animals so impressed when I come heme in bed, it’s quiet, and the house is in the morning, the children are rested. I know the load that they © ® and an energy that is outstanding! I know that it’s not much, but I just want the Valley to know that there are two very special and very dedicated girls that live among us. They provide everyday care, love, and service that reach beyond this Valley—it can be felt nationwide. We have children who will be attending The Spectrum Academy this fall that come from Georgia, Kansas, Washington, and California—not just Utah. It is because of them that I’m able to serve on the board and get the school up and running for the fall season. Thank you Shyanne and Kali! And a big thanks to your families for raising such loving and caring children; you truly have angles that live among you! Thank you for all of your efforts on our behalf. Shyanne and Kali, are like simple beautiful pebbles being tossed into a deep pond. The ripples of help and service that come from you hit every edge of the pond. Thank you! Written with all the gratitude of my heart. ® © * * ° April T Flitton, your animals’ level of comfort and safety? Why do you subject new born lambs to a fate of confusion and death, or a happenstance miserable existence? If you can’t take care of newborns, why do you let the sheep breed? How difficult is it to separate the rams from the ewes to stop random breeding? Why do they have years of growth on their feet? Why won’t you allow them to be shorn? Why do they have Vibriosis, a very communicative campylobacter bacteria (even to humans) that can be controlled with vaccinations and tetracycline? Have they ever been vaccinated? Why don’t they have space to move around in, and some shelter? What is it that keeps you from removing dead animals from the property? How respectful is it to leave an uncountable number of animal carcasses on the property to decay and rot? How healthy or kind is it to toss the feed for the living on top of the dead? Your poor sheep keeping practices affect more than just your own property. The stench that comes from your pens is overwhelming. Why isn’t the town of Huntsville or Ogden City concerned about the possibly of contaminated water that runs off your property, through Huntsville, and into Pineview Reservoir? You can’t answer that question but maybe someone else can Huntsville LETTERS Severely ofeee ‘own 05H to the point of deformity. Residents, neighbors, and even fellow sheepmen in the Valley have complained to community officials about this situation for many years. Many, including Wasatch Humane, have offered to help McKay clean up the place, remove the piles of feces and hay strings that surround the front and back porches of the condemned home, ae the dead animals that, by her own admis- Dead lamb along front fence where hay is delivered for feeding. Live animals have to eat over the top of the dead. sion, pile up; she has defensively refused these offers, yet, incredulously, nothing has been done to make improvemen Despite the years of complaints and documentation of obvious neglect and cruelty (as recognized by even passersby), her only ponse is a threat to contact her attorney, who cavalierly states in her defense, “Despite years of complaints, it hasn’t been proven she’s bron any laws.” Yes she has; state law requires that livestock be cared for by “accepted animal husbandry practices,” those as accepted as customary by others in her profession/field. Her neighbors Leon Fielding and Ray Peterson say she is not. There also must be health codes that Years of neglect of shearing. " she is violating as well, allowing bacteria and disease from her neglectful preciioes and unhealthy environment to collect and flow downstream to other ranchers a users. es of the entire state are now on this situation, with Utahns and media contacting what in the world is being done by the officials of Huntsville and Weber County. Wasatch Humane is willing, equipped, and ready to take any of the sheep for vet care, fostering, and either humane euthanasia (at Dr. McKay’s restitution) or adoption to new homes as deemed appropriate by a veterinarian if McKay is ordered to downsize. Cheryl Smith, Director Wasatch Humane cont. on page 17 Fun treasures & more! Come in and see our great selection for Mother’s Day gifts. HOME INTERIORS & GIFTS “SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE” s | Dottie (801) 745-6617 > “Becks LEC 5522 E. 2200 N. 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