The humane agent said there are effective programs to increase spaying and neutering.
By D. A. WILKINSON
LISBON — Lazarus is doing well.
The dog that was apparently dumped at Angels for Animals in southern Mahoning County earlier this year is recovering, according to Brenda Austin, the county's humane agent.
Lazarus, who was named for the friend Jesus brought back to life, still wanders in circles.
But Austin said that may change as the dog's system rejuvenates with a good diet and care.
Austin is also the vice president of the Humane Society of Columbiana County.
She and Jenny Pike, the society's president, proposed Wednesday that the county commissioners consider increasing dog license fees for spayed or neutered dogs with some exceptions.
The commissioners took no action. They have until October to consider raising the fees for dog licenses for 2008. Cats don't require a license.
Austin said that a higher cost for a dog license actually helps to prevent such cases of abuse. The fee becomes a financial incentive for people to take care of their pets.
"Take a community who is creative and effective at improving the state of animal welfare in reducing the pet population, and you'll find a community who has pride and vision," Pike said.
Fees for licenses
The county now charges $8 for a dog license. The county has issued 18,393 licenses for 2007, according to John Goempel, the chief deputy for the county auditor's office.
Austin suggested that a $20 fee be added to the $8 cost. At least $15 of the fee could go to a fund to help neuter or spay animals, she suggested. Certain dogs would be exempt: those animals a veterinarian says would be harmed by the surgery, dogs used for show or breeding purposes, or hunting dogs.
Governments are often criticized for putting unwanted animals to sleep. But Austin said that under laws enacted in 1993 in New Hampshire, licensing rose dramatically while euthanasia dropped.
Since 2005, the society and the county prosecutor's office have prosecuted cases against 12 county residents for abuse and neglect. According to Austin, they owned a total of more than 100 unaltered dogs and 46 unaltered cats.
In some cases, Austin said, well-meaning people begin taking abandoned animals home but don't get them fixed or know where to turn to for help.
The county pound, Austin said, has been successful in increasing its adoptions and decreasing the number of dogs it must put to sleep each year.
In 2004, there were 1,369 dogs at the pound. Some 759 were euthanized and 461 were adopted.
In 2006, there were 1,483 dogs at the pound. Only 77 were put to sleep. Some 1,223 were adopted.
Austin said dogs from the county were adopted to other states and Canada because of listings on the Internet.