It has been nearly three years since Wesley Johnson suggested a column be written on the need for a county dog pound. This subject has been considered since and it is now an appropriate time to give consideration to the idea. Wesley lives near the junction of highways 54 and 43. Apparently it is about the right distance from town for many to drop off dogs in that area.

He commented that there are many problems in rural areas with stray dogs and cats. The dogs can develop into packs which could become dangerous. They often attack livestock. It is animal cruelty to drop animals off.

The other day Wesley commented that the problem remains and he strongly desires a county wide dog shelter. Recently, stray dogs have been a problem to him which includes bothering the wild birds which he feeds and enjoy. A neighbor has two new dogs which come to their place that they have to feed. He is not the only one thinking that way. There are other citizens in the community expressing that the animal shelter needs to be a county shelter.

It does not seem very long ago when a new dog pound was built for Nevada and operated by the humane society. Still, that was approximately 20 years ago -- longer than realized. In recent years we have not heard much about the program.

There has been a major controversy stirred up lately relating to the Nevada Animal Shelter. Controversy is difficult and divisive. Things would be better if it had been avoided. However, it has brought the attention of the community to a problem that developed. It will result in corrections being made and more people getting involved for solutions and improvements.

Like most readers, my knowledge is somewhat limited and most of the information is what I read in the paper. It is not my intention to take sides within this column. However, one citizen expressed that it was not handled properly.

The shelter had received several citations from the state inspector, and had given the facility until Feb. 23 to get them corrected. Evidently, several things were needed to be done to the building -- the city's responsibility. However, the facility was closed before Feb. 23 and 40 of the animals were euthanized. Two of the puppies were taken to a veterinarian that morning and treated -- no word about their having a contagious disease.

Police Chief Christine Keim is reported as saying, "We closed the facility under the advice of the Missouri Department of Agriculture." It was thought that some of the animals had parvo. This is apparently not documented by any veterinarian checking the animals at the shelter.

According to Healthpet.com, an Animal Hospital Association's Web site: "Parvovirus is a serious, deadly threat to the unvaccinated dog population. It is so infectious that virtually anyone or any moving object can become a parvovirus carrier simply by coming in contact with an infected dog's feces. The virus can survive searing heat and subzero temperatures for long periods of time, and so the virus might remain long after the feces have been removed. Shoes, paws -- you name it -- can pick up and carry the virus."

If there was parvovirus at the shelter, it was the right thing to shut it down, because it is dangerous stuff. Still, where are the records that the group should have in their possession?

One citizen commented that even the IRS is not allowed to destroy records.

Now if you go out to the Nevada Animal Shelter there are "closed" and "no trespassing" signs posted. It is quiet -- like a ghost shelter.

At a meeting concerning the future of the animal shelter, Chief Keim is right when she said, "We want to go forward from here." That is exactly what needs to be done.

It was pleasing to hear that Kendall Vickers, Don Hutchison and others are getting involved. Good is bound to come out of it.

There are going to be many needs and it will take money. City Manager Craig Hubler suggested spending $100,000 on a new facility. There are citizens who are saying that the city does not have the money, that funds borrowed from the water have not all been put back.

Sometimes it is good to learn what other communities are doing. In Allen County, Kansas, there is a not-for-profit organization, Allen County Animal Rescue Foundation. It has been in operation for about five years and has struggled. Ray Shannon and Gary McIntosh became involved. Ray is now serving as president/director and Gary as finance director and they are moving ahead.

They have raised funds and have had one grant, a gift from California for $1,000. Their goal is to raise $100,000. They are developing a donor base, which now includes more than 200 people.

At present, Iola, Kan., keeps the animals for three days before they have a veterinarian euthanize them. Gary said that when their group gets in operation they hope to make it seven days. Emphasis will be on getting the animals adopted. They will provide services for all of the towns in the county and the communities will pay a fee. They eventually want to get an animal crematory.

Chanute puts their dogs on a Web site and they have had people to come from a distance to adopt the dogs.

There is a need for a Vernon County Animal Shelter. It is now time to consider it as a possibility. There are those willing to work on this type of project.

A second meeting concerning the future of the Nevada animal shelter will be held next Tuesday evening, Feb. 28. This is an important subject to the community. There is a need for a large number of citizens to have input in the decisions that will be made.