It’s heartwarming to read about the rescue of Scarlet the doe. How wonderful that a citizen was able to call on a

public agency to help this wild animal return to her normal life!

But in contrast, there is no equivalent resource for domestic dogs abandoned on the north peninsula. With all shelters

and rescues over capacity, and the Olympic Peninsula

Humane Society closing the Bark House, people who can no longer care for their dogs are simply dumping them in all areas of Jefferson and Clallam counties. And unless motivated private citizens are able to rescue and re-home these unfortunate animals, they are condemned to fear, starvation, and/or violent death.

Last month such a dog ran in panic for over a week between Quilcene and Brinnon — for miles along 101 and through the woods — before finally being hit by a truck and killed. Though several local residents tried to help her, she was too frightened to be caught. A call to Jefferson County Animal

Control was met with the response that Jefferson County had no current animal control officer and law enforcement would take no action.

How great it would have been if a qualified animal control officer could have responded, tranquilized this dog as Scarlet the deer was tranquilized, and brought her to safety!

Unfortunately this story is not unusual.

Maybe The Leader could talk to the heads of peninsula humane societies, rescue organizations, and law enforcement, and inform the public about the scope of this problem and possible solutions? This would be a great public service in the interest of the welfare of domestic animals on the peninsula.

Thanks for considering this idea.

Lisa McIlwain, Quilcene

Lisa Saban, Brinnon