Neglect of horses still needs attention

I am writing to express my concern for the on-going situation in Concordia Parish related to the well-publicized animal cruelty case, i.e., Debbie Palmer (no relation, thank you) allowing multiple horses to die of starvation and neglect.

This situation truly is a blight on our parish, on the town of Vidalia, and on our collective reputations.

This kind of case may seem miniscule to some, compared to the larger problems your departments have to pursue. But as you know, people who neglect and mistreat animals, more often than not, become abusers of other people. And how we treat those weaker creatures entrusted to our care, such as children and animals, speaks to our very humanity itself.

I firmly believe that adults, at least those with intact physical and mental faculties, are more than able to take care of themselves; the rest of us are responsible, to the best of our abilities, to see that the undefended do not remain undefended.

Please accept my appreciation for what has been done so far in this difficult situation.

It seems that Ms. Palmer has been given every opportunity to make a bad situation better, and has failed to avail herself of that chance. I sincerely hope that this time around she will be brought to justice for her flagrant disregard for the law and courts, that all of the horses will be offered to good homes (including those she has “dispersed”), and that she will be prohibited from owning any animals in the future. Thank you for your respective offices’ involvement in what many see as CAWS’s (Concordia Animal Welfare Shelter) lone and futile battle.

Barbara L. Palmer, MD

Natchez resident