Animals are often the only family and elderly or lonely person has

Oct 29 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Editor, – Your article (PA, Friday, October 22) was not only distressing to read but even more harrowing in considering the concept that the council is disposing of beloved pets without any notice to their owners.

These animals are often the only family and elderly or lonely person has, and their absence is a great anxiety until they can be found. When they are not found the uncertainty is most distressing and sadness of the loss is just as agonising for them as any death would be in a loving family.

Prolonging this mourning needlessly by claiming cost as an excuse to fail to notify owners is simply callous. Just imagine the suffering imposed on someone who is grieving for a lost “member” of his family who will never know what has happened to his companion – it is unspeakable.

Now that most cats an dogs are being microchipped their remains can easily be identified for return to the families who are in great distress over the disappearance of their pets. All the local animal charities would be willing to help relieve the suffering of the bereaved by doing this job for the council. It would be a simple matter for a driver or waste manager to inform one of the charities who could then collect the animal from the council site and complete the task of identification and notification, thereby saving the council all that money.

It is depressing to see in this age of high-tech facilities and push-button convenience that it is too much trouble for a council authority to display a little respect for its community and consider the feelings of the bereaved.

Please ask your readers to write to the council to express their discontent with this abominable practice and to urge the authorities to co-operative with the many animal charities available to deal with this distressing situation.

J Graham,

4 Rossie Place,

Auchterarder,

PH3 1AJ.