Anyone who believed the Windchill story was over-reported or irrelevant, or who felt Windchill's rescuers hoped for fame and fortune, should please consider the following ("Windchill caretaker gets jail time, fine in colt neglect case," Feb. 19).
Losing Windchill was heartbreaking. The larger picture is that if animal abuse is allowed to go unnoticed or unchallenged, it's a short step from ignoring the abuse or neglect of children, the elderly, disabled or anyone else who can't defend or adequately care for themselves. And if we allow that to happen, as a civilized society, we are doomed.
Donations sent to the rescuers to help defray veterinary costs for Windchill were voluntary. No one who donated money required an accounting of how each dollar was spent, although the rescuers provided that information in a public forum. Funds remaining after Windchill died were diverted into a legacy account to be available for the next unfortunate animal and its rescuer.
Finally, the defendant in this case might use jail time to reflect upon the circumstances that brought her there. An ounce of common sense and decency and a couple phone calls would have summoned help when it was needed.
This is a story that could have ended so much more differently.
ADVERTISEMENT
Phyllis Dale
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
