At 1:24 AM 7/31/96, Jim Choate wrote:

Consider (to some) a trivial example. There are 20 million cats and dogs killed each year because somebody was irresponsible. The vast majority of these are or were pets (not feral or wild animals as some would claim) which persons simply didn't want anymore. Now there is somewhere around 250 million people in the US. This means that 1 out of 10 (roughly) are costing the rest of us about $50 ea. to take care of their pet 'problem'.

I see no difference in having my money taken via taxes (where most of it comes from) for this than having somebody come and take $50 for whatever reason by kicking my front door in. Why am I being forced to pay this money to pay for somebody elses lack of discipline and simple human empathy?

I agree, and this is one reason I am opposed to State-sponsored canine and feline genocide. And historically the lack of canine eradication programs has been a major way to control the "homeless problem," so the State is making the homeless problem worse by removing natural pest control mechanisms. --Klaus