Every year in America, between three and four million dogs and cats are euthanized by animal shelters, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
Left to starve, be abused or to die violently by a busy highway, their homeless counterparts on the streets suffer an even worse fate. There is no data that reveals how many domestic animals end up dying tragically because of human neglect or abuse. However, it is safe to say that the number is staggering, the suffering immense.
A drive through McDowell County easily reveals that stray animals abound. That’s why the McDowell County Commission in cooperation with the dog warden and local law enforcement is cracking down on those who abuse and/or mistreat animals.
According to County Commission President Gordon Lambert, the Commission in the near future will vote on whether to give dog warden Tommy Cox the power to issue citations to those who abuse animals. Such citations would insure that the abuser would end up in court to face full legal consequences for their actions.
“We’d like to have that in place by December 30,” Lambert said. “We’re hoping that will help to alleviate the problem.”
Cox accepts calls at the County Commission, between 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday (436-8548) and then spends the rest of the day either picking up the reported animals or checking out the many complaints he receives.
“The abuse is everywhere,” he says. “You’d just have to travel with me for a few days to see how bad it is for yourself. I do the best I kind but it’s never ending.”
Dogs and cats picked up by Cox are taken to a Mary Town holding facility for five days and then placed inside a concrete-type box and gassed. Death does not always come quickly so Commissioner Carl Urps has instructed Cox to gas the animals individually to lessen their suffering and expedite their demise.
“I hate that part of my job, but what are you going to with all those unwanted animals,” Cox laments.
“People sometimes get angry with me, but the irresponsible pet owners are the ones who create the problem.”
Cox reports that penalties against animal abuse are harsh. If given the right to issue citations, he stressed that he will use his authority fairly but firmly.
A copy of the West Virginia Animal Welfare Laws” book that Cox carries clearly cites state code (61-8-19), which addresses animal cruelty. Page 82 of the handbook reads: “It is unlawful for any person to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly mistreat an animal in a cruel manner; abandon an animal; withhold proper sustenance, including food or water; (withhold) shelter that protects from the elements or weather; or medical treatment necessary to sustain normal health and fitness…abandon animal to die; leave an animal unattended in a motor vehicle when physical death is likely to result; ride an animal when it is physically unfit; bait or harass an animal for the purpose of making it perform for another person’s amusement; CRUELLY CHAIN or tether an animal; or use, train or possess a domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domesticated animal.”

The code goes on to say that depending on the infraction, the violator shall be fined not less than $300 dollars nor more than $2000 dollars or confined in jail not more than six months or both.
Killing or mutilating an animal is a felony and upon conviction, the violator “shall be confined in a correctional facility not less than one nor more than five years and be fined not less than $1000.”
One local animal lover/rescuer notes that the laws against cruelty do work when enforced. The rescuer noted that a Northfork woman was recently convicted of animal cruelty and was sentenced to jail for three months and ordered to make restitution for the vet bill.
“The dog only lived nine days after being rescued, but at least its final days were spent in comfort,” the rescuer said. “The dog had the saddest, sunken eyes I’ve ever seen. It was skin and bones and tethered to an 18-inch logging chain. It had no food or water and had only a piece of a doghouse for its shelter. When we went to rescue it, the woman hid the dog from us. She made the mistake of putting it back about two weeks later and that’s when we got it.
“It took a while longer to get her, but with the assistance of the Prosecutor’s office, the Sheriff’s Office and the Magistrate Court, the woman was punished for her cruelty. Maybe the three months in jail will make her reconsider before she ever mistreats and animal again.” The animal rescuer has no authority, other than what the law provides.
“I choose to get involved because I can’t stand to see an animal suffer,” the rescuer said. “I encourage others to do the same. If you see a hungry animal give it food and water and take care of it. Adopt it if you are so inclined, or take it to the Mercer County Animal Shelter (425-2838). If that’s not possible, call the dogcatcher (436-8548) and let him euthanize it. At least it will have food and water during its final days.”
The rescuers continued: “Stop making excuses and expecting others to do what you’re perfectly capable of doing yourself. If you care about animals, be willing to put yourself out a little bit for them. It can be frustrating and aggravating, but you’ll feel very good about having made the effort.”