By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
Feb. 7, 2001
QUITMAN One Clarke County resident says a sense of reality is the only way to deal with the problem of stray cats and dogs.
Sue Sexton of the Elwood Community has been raising different breeds of dogs for more than 25 years. In addition, she has worked in and operated animal clinics for as many years. She currently owns more than 60 dogs and people are always bringing stray animals to her.
Sexton asked city aldermen during their Tuesday night meeting for its financial help in establishing a county-wide animal shelter. Currently, there is neither a shelter nor an ordinance for dealing with stray animals anywhere in Clarke County.
She said she will be approaching the other four municipalities in the county with the same request. Once she has the support of the towns, she plans to approach the Clarke County Board of Supervisors for their help.
Sexton added that she loves animals, but added that if homes can't be found for stray cats and dogs, then they need to be put to sleep.
She told aldermen that if the shelter was established, she would apply for the job to manage it.
The mayor and aldermen have all received complaints about stray animals and seemed supportive of the idea, but no action was taken.
In other matters, the board:
Heard a presentation from Chickasawhay Gas District general manager Randy Fleming about the high natural gas prices. Fleming explained that two record cold months depleted the natural gas supply locally and prices jumped from about $6 per thousand cubic foot to $10 or more per thousand cubic foot.
Fleming said that bills will probably be going down but not before March.