TO THE EDITOR
kitten, $2,000 for the second, $3,000 for the
third, $4,000 plus jail for the fourth, and so
on.
The only way for us to rid ourselves of
this problem is to drive out those people that
are causing the problem. Any suggestions are
welcome.
Ann Tattersall
Eugene
SAFETY FOR CYCLISTS
The House recently passed a bill requiring
motor vehicle drivers to maintain a “safe dis-
tance” while passing cyclists on Oregon’s
roads. Proponents contend that this law will
improve safety for cyclists. Who could argue
with such noble legislation? Here’s an idea to
further improve cyclists’ safety: How about
enacting legislation that requires cyclists
using public roadways to adhere to the same
laws applicable to motor vehicles, such as
obeying traffic lights, stop signs and right of
way rules? Oh wait, this legislation already
exists. Nearly every motor vehicle law does
apply to cyclists (see ORS 814.400). Why,
then, do so many cyclists break these laws —
the laws designed for their safety — and then
turn around and complain about how danger-
ous it is for them on our public roads?
Debbie Gedeon
Eugene
DISTRESSING LETTER
Catherine Mish’s letter (6/21) about
Greenhill was extremely distressing to me
and my staff. It is disheartening that Ms. Mish
did not choose to take advantage of
Greenhill’s “open door” policy encouraging
volunteers to ask questions at any time about
the decisions we make at the shelter. Had she
done so, every effort would have been made
to address the concerns she expressed in her
letter.
The letter left many of us at Greenhill
confused. It eluded to five dogs that had been
recently euthanized. However, after review-
ing our records, we cannot find a situation
that matches those allegations. Five dogs
were recently transferred out of our kennel to
a shelter in Portland, where we felt they had a
better chance of finding a “forever home.”
This is a common practice, and animals are
routinely transferred in and out of Greenhill
to maximize the number of adopters they are
exposed to. If these are the dogs our volun-
teer was referring to, it saddens us that she as-
sumed the worst. I have attempted to contact
Ms. Mish, but she has not returned my calls.
Greenhill does not euthanize healthy,
adoptable animals. Euthanasia decisions are
never made based on space issues or time
limits. As long as an animal is healthy and
happy here, he/she will continue to wait for a
family. We do euthanize animals that are ag-
gressive or dangerous and animals that are ill
beyond our capacity to treat them.
Greenhill has a policy of complete and
honest disclosure, and we have always be-
lieved in telling the truth even when it is hard
to hear. Anyone who has questions about an
animal is encouraged to contact me directly.
Johnni Prince
Executive Director
Greenhill Humane Society
JUNE 28, 2007 9