Sheriff Joe Arpaio (AZ) comes to the rescue

[SiouxJ]

I don't like the guy (he's a repuke) but you better not get caught torturing animals in this state. He is a big time animal lover. Over the past few weeks the shelters in the Phoenix area have had to euthanize any new animals brought in (it's puppy dumping season) because they are too overcrowded. Sheriff Joe came to the rescue yesterday, opening up jail space to these homeless animals. It will be interesting to see what kind of uproar this causes as at this very moment, he has inmates out in the very hot "tent city" while these dogs are being kept in the air conditioned jail. I saw him on the news last night and he said something like, "I don't care if they have to stay here 10 years, none of them will be euthanized under my watch."

He also has some of the inmates participating in their care. I think this is a great idea myself. He said it teaches the inmates compassion and responsibility and I agree. If this program works, I think the idea should catch on across the country.

Here's a bit of the AZ Republic's article on this:

Sheriff's jailbirds to take care of dogs, cats
Old jail to house unwanted pets

Jack Gillum
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 9, 2005 12:00 AM

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is giving some animals in the Valley a stay of execution.

Starting this week, a section of the old First Avenue Jail will house unwanted dogs and cats, many of which would otherwise be put to sleep at overcrowded local animal shelters. The goal is to find them all homes.

"The animals are victims that did nothing wrong," said Arpaio, a self-described animal lover.


More:

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/0609animaljail09.html

[RebelOne]

1. Repuke or not

That man's a saint. Anyone who rescues animals can't be all bad.

[SiouxJ]

2. Well the problem with him is the way he treats humans

but you're right. He's not all bad and he is right that these animals did nothing to deserve this situation. They are innocent victims of our society. I can't say the same for the convicts, though humane treatment of them should be expected as well.

This state has got to be one of the worst for animal abuse, so we need someone like him to enforce the laws. AZ only recently (about 6 years ago, if memory serves) outlawed cock-fighting.

[livetohike]

3. Hi SiouxJ

:hi:

How is Natasha doing with the incontinence problem? Are you having any success with the soy?

The sheriff should receive an award of some kind.

[SiouxJ]

4. Hi!!

Well thanks for asking! Natasha is doing pretty well on the soy diet. Every now and then she'll have a leak and I'll break down and give her a little sliver of a pill but for the most part, she's off them. It's usually after playing really hard and drinking lots of water that it tends to happen so sometimes I anticipate it and give her a bit of a pill. I do this before I, oh say take her to the park to play Frisbee. The soy is working very well. I guess nothing is perfect, but I'm so happy she doesn't have to be on a lot of medication now.

Yeah, Sheriff Joe is doing a great thing here. It's always amazing to me how many Repukes go out of their way for animals. I sometimes think I belong to the wrong party (not really). I just know so many of them that go out of their way for animals. Of course there are plenty of the Ted-animals-are-for-killing-Nugent variety too. ;-)

[livetohike]

5. That's good news for Natasha!

:bounce:

I definitely agree that the less meds the better. I'm so glad this is working out for you. :-)

[livinginphotographs]

6. Hey, good for him.

Republican or not, at least he has something decent going for him.

And I think having inmates care for stray animals is a great thing. Instead of just punishing them by locking them away for several years, then releasing them meaner and full of more ideas, caring for animals is at least an attempt at rehabilitation.

Since quite a few criminals are the products of a society that threw them away to begin with, there's something sort of nice about people that society threw away taking care of animals that society threw away. Hell, it's better than making license plates.

I hope that made sense, I've been out in the sun all day.

[Catchawave]

7. ....and Wal-Mart is donating the food !

Damn, it's hard being a Democrat these days :silly: I tell ya, any sign of compassion is good enough for me. I especially like this part of the article:

"The animals are victims that did nothing wrong," said Arpaio, a self-described animal lover..."

I hope he doesn't lose his job.

[SiouxJ]

8. He could never lose his job

He is probably the most popular political figure here in AZ; that's why he can get away with this. People like his "tough on criminals" attitude. He's the guy that makes the inmates wear pink and live in tents during the middle of the AZ summer. He's been through tons of scandals and always come up smelling like a rose.

I know! The Wal-mart part floored me too! lol It's like the world has gone topsy-turvy; the bad guys are suddenly doing good things. My brain may implode.

[Catchawave]

9. OMIGOSH...I know who you're talking about now....

I remember the "inmates in pink" segment on some news show, it may have been Olbermann's. Keith loves animals too, so I think I'll send this article to him!

Everybody can too, better chance a popular request may be featured
:applause:

[City Lights]

10. Wow, I'm shocked to read this.

Never in a million years would I have guessed he would do something like this.

I used to volunteer for a Phoenix animal rescue organization, and the euthanasia stats in Maricopa County were horrifying. :cry:

I can't stand sheriff joe, but he done good this time. :thumbsup:

Thanks for posting this. :-)

[shockra]

11. Great Story.

It gives me hope that we can sometimes find common ground. And like you said, Repubs are more likely to get away with things like this.

Thanks for inviting me to this group back in March. I've been reading ever since. :)