Protest Was Right

I was appalled and dismayed to read the commentary “Protest in Wrong Place, Wrong Time” by Diane Calkins and Rosemary Shelton on April 30.

It should be titled “Protest in Right Place, Right Time.”

STOP (Stop Taking Our Pets) had every right to demonstrate at the central pound, whether it was on a Saturday or any other day of the week.

The central pound sold animals to UC San Diego for research for almost 20 years. Animals from central stopped being sold about a year ago, (but) the Bonita pound still sells dogs, cats and other animals to UCSD. It makes no difference which pound they come from, the principle is the same. True, the Board of Supervisors directs the Department of Animal Control to sell animals to UCSD. However, the director of the three county pounds could make her voice heard in protest.

Mercy Crusade San Diego, and many other animal welfare organizations in San Diego, have had four protest marches at the central pound in the past few years, always on a Saturday. We have also protested at 1600 Pacific Highway, where the county supervisors have their offices.

Contrary to what you said in your commentary, we found that our demonstrations did not deter people from adopting a pet from the pound. In fact, it made them more enthusiastic about adopting a pet, for they could save one more from research or death.

We talked with people about the need to spay and neuter their pets, as surplus animals left at the pound often become inexpensive tools for research. We also emphasized the importance of seeking a new responsible home, that one does not send a pet to the pound because the animal has become inconvenient. The animal becomes an innocent victim of people. Your commentary implies it is perfectly all right to relinquish your pet to the pound, but people must assume responsibility for their pets.

TONI DIMAGGIO

San Diego