Shasta County officials’ cruel decision to seize young girl’s pet goat is horrifying | Opinion
Cold-hearted
“California girl saved pet goat, search warrant followed,” (sacbee.com, April 1)
It is dumbfounding to learn of the lengths the Shasta District Fair and local police went to stop the rescue of Cedar the pet goat. What a bunch of bullies.
One must wonder how folks who wolfed down Cedar at the community BBQ will feel if they read about a little girl sobbing and a protective mother being threatened with a felony charge just so they could have grilled goat on their plates.
One hardly knows what to make of the fair’s concerns that allowing the mother to save the goat for her child would have sent a bad message. How many of us are under the impression that what is wrong with the world today is that there are just too many shows of compassion?
Karen Dawn
Executive Director, DawnWatch, an animal advocacy nonprofit organization
Santa Barbara
Atrocity
“California girl saved pet goat, search warrant followed,” (sacbee.com, April 1)
When the purchaser agreed to accept reimbursement, that should have been the end of it. Why were Shasta County officials insistent that Cedar be slaughtered? Are they afraid that allowing one goat to live might spawn a wave of compassion for animals? Kindness should be nurtured, not punished! The outrageous overreach of law enforcement that ensued is beyond belief.
People are often moved by stories of individual animals, and I have no doubt this article left many readers infuriated. While we can’t bring Cedar back, I hope it causes many to look at the bigger picture. All animals have distinct personalities, and experience pain and pleasure.
I thank reporter Sam Stanton for bringing this atrocity to light.
Stewart W David
Venice, Fla.
Opinion
Compassion
“California girl saved pet goat, search warrant followed,” (sacbee.com, April 1)
Thank you for covering Cedar’s story. Law enforcement showed an appalling disregard for civil procedure. Further, although not a legal issue, they demonstrated a commitment to the problematic social construction of animals as food and a lack of recognition of human knowledge and regard for non-human sentience. Hopefully, they did teach the nine year old girl about responsibility — responsibility to those who can’t advocate for themselves.
Liz Hirky
Chair, Animals & Society Institute
Lords Valley, Pennsylvania
Do the right thing
“California girl saved pet goat, search warrant followed,” (sacbee.com, April 1)
My family and I are pulling for the Long family to win their lawsuit. In the future, the Shasta Fair Association and the Shasta County Sheriff’s deputies reportedly involved in this case need to show a much more compassionate response in similar situations. We totally denounce their cruel handling of this entire situation and of Cedar. They could have done a kind thing — the right thing — but, sadly, chose not to.
Mary Lynne Zahler
North Canton, Ohio
Tax credit
“Sacramento CA homeless encampment signs innovative lease,” (sacbee.com, April 2)
I was heartened to read this article. However, it would be even more encouraging to read about how Congress is working to end homelessness. It’s important to note that many homeless people have jobs and contribute to society in various ways. There is a severe shortage of affordable rental homes for individuals with extremely low incomes in the U.S. To address this issue, a Renter’s Tax Credit could be introduced to assist low-income households that spend more than 30% of their income on housing expenses.
Sarah Miller
St. Louis, Mo.
Right to live
“The six victims of a Nashville mass shooting can’t speak about gun violence. Who will? | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, March 30)
Jack Ohman’s cartoon was right on point as we see America once again swaddle itself in apathy as more families grieve the murder of their children. Why is there not more outrage? Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children.
We must tighten restrictions on access to guns. We have all heard the phrase that evil is allowed to succeed when good people do nothing. This passive response to the murder of children is nothing less than evil, and to act as powerless bystanders makes us complicit. This should not be the status quo.
Isn’t the right to live more important than the right to own a gun?
Brendan Considne
Sacramento
Better planning
“CA youth prison closings raise concerns,” (sacbee.com, April 3)
While I support the closure of the state’s youth prisons and feel that county probation officials should be working transparently with the state regarding any organization they have formed, I can understand why they may have felt the need to raise concerns. As mentioned in the article, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s legislation charged the head of these probation departments to move these youth but did not give them enough time to do so or the proper tools and placement options.
Closing youth prisons is great, but there must be a well laid out plan for how to properly serve these high-acuity youth.
Michaela Goldstein
San Jose
