P.O. Box 80663
Lincoln, NE 68501
402 476 - 4414
info@animalrescuesoc.org
Animal Control - often an instrument for abuse
With the retirement of James Weverka as Animal Control Manager in Lincoln, NE, the community is anxiously waiting to see if the department willingly steps into the 21st century by eliminating Weverka's1950's "dog catcher" mentality. With fresh blood in both the agency and the advisory board, the greater Lincoln area is hopeful that the status of animals might be elevated above that of something that needs to be 'caught and disposed of.' Some of the current animal control officers still tightly cling to the Weverka mentality that we must "clean all the cats off the streets" as they pose this huge public health hazard. If this wasn't so pathetic it would be laughable. The astronomical rabies paranoia that they spew as propoganda to the general public until everyone is afraid to come
out of their house for fear of getting bit by a rabid dog, cat, squirrel, or whatever other four-legged creature is passing by, is, in my opinion, ludicrous beyond belief. After forty years of rescuing almost every type of domestic and wild animal in North America, we have yet to see or experience even one case. That is not to say it doesn't exist, but when one looks at the actual statistics, one can see how this rabies propoganda is blown way out of proportion. By keeping this fear iin front of the public at all times, they are able to rake in phenomenal amounts of money. From the health department to the veterinarians and anyone else on the gravy train it is a feast to behold.
Unfortunately, it doesn't require a license to be stupid as many of the trained monkeys running around in animal control suits behave as though they were watching too many Conan the Barbarian re-runs when they were supposed to be studying..
After years of questionable incidents and cover-ups plaguing the agency, the animal community can only hope those days are left in the past. Weverka's reign of terror will hopefully be replaced with ideology aligned with more compassion for animals and their right to live their lives out (with or without a home to call their own), the same as any other species.
The agency would do well to present a softer, kinder image as might be reflected in a new name. Simply by adding the word "Care" to their name would impart subliminal messages to those out there dutifully responding to incessant barking calls and bite complaints. By showing a little leiniency and empathy toward the public rather than running around weilding a club over their heads, they would not only garner more support for their endeavors, they would earn some of the respect they so desperately need.
It may be too early to tell but as support for the animal welfare movement gathers more momentum, outdated and antiquated ways of thinking will no longer be tolerated.
With this movement will come less toleration for the control freaks using their job to weild power over the people. Hopefully then, the real issues will be defined and addressed, and the paranoia epidemic will be brought under control.
We can only hope that the future brings more compassion and understanding towards our animal friends and companions as our collective consiousness evolves away from one of destruction of life as a means of problem solving.
- Arthur Evans
