To the editor:

We have a huge problem in Polk County. I know the Duke Energy issue is bad enough, but the issue I’m referring to involves the treatment of living, breathing creatures — dogs. Earlier in August you’ll recall that a puppy was found drowned, in a locked crate which had been thrown off of a bridge over Little White Oak Creek on Toney Road in Mill Spring. Friday evening, Aug. 28, another dead pup was found, enclosed in a plastic bag, tossed over that same bridge, like garbage.

On Monday, Aug. 24, the Polk County Board of Commissioners met and voted (3-2) not to renew the appointments of two of the Polk County animal cruelty investigators, Patti Lovelace and Nancy Hasselbring. Maybe those commissioners who voted against keeping a full force of dedicated, experienced animal cruelty investigators in Polk County, can explain themselves to concerned residents and respond to this letter. There will be many waiting for their “justification.”

Until then, Polk County residents need to know we have a huge problem. No, we don’t want to live among 140-foot electrical towers, for many reasons. But we sure as hell don’t want to live among people capable of committing cruelty to animals like this, who get away with it, either!

Sue Ring
Mill Spring, N.C.