The Times Advocate, 2005-11-09, Page 44
Exeter Times—Advocate
Wednesday, November 9, 2005
=CNA
Editorial Opinion
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EDITORIAL
Let's give
them a
break
Iocal emergency department doctors need
our help.
J
As explained elsewhere in this week's Times -
Advocate, some doctors are putting in 24 hour
shifts at South Huron Hospital to make sure the
emergency room can deliver round-the-clock
service.
Unfortunately, their already heavy workload is
made even tougher by those patients in non-
emergency situations who go to the emergency
department for treatment. While possibly more
convenient and quicker than visiting the walk-in
clinic or seeing a family doctor, visiting the ER in
a non -emergency is inappropriate and takes the
emergency doctor away from things he/she
should be focusing on — real emergencies.
Non -emergency patients won't be turned away
from the hospital — they'll be asked to either
wait until the doctor is available, come back at
another time or go to the walk-in clinic or a fam-
ily doctor. This is a reasonable policy, as the hos-
pital's emergency department finds itself down
to four full-time doctors after the departure of
Dr. Philip Chan.
Working a 24-hour shift seems unimaginable
to most of us who complain about a few extra
hours of overtime. Yes, doctors are well paid,
but there comes a time when you simply can't
do anymore work. South Huron Hospital wants
to make sure their doctors don't reach this
"breaking point."
Let's help them out and make full use of the
walk-in clinic. We can't afford to lose any more
doctors.
About the Times -Advocate
No excuse for aminal abuse
What is wrong with people to make them think that
castrating a cat (with a pocket knife) or shooting a
sheep is okay?
Recently I have heard of too many counts of animal
abuse right here in Huron County, including those
mentioned above.
The cat attack happened just last month in Clinton. A
group of individuals stood by a man castrating a cat
with his pocket knife.
According to OPP, one man was bitten on the
chest (good) while holding down the cat during
the procedure.
But really, procedure? How about mutilation.
There were also reports recently of a cat shot
with a pellet gun and a dog stolen.
This topic is extremely dear to my heart.
I have two dogs and five cats. Scotty is my
tabby cat.
About six years ago my mom and I were dri-
ving towards Strathroy on Highway 81.
There was a car in front of us and to our
astonishment they threw something, a little gray
furball out the window.
Sure enough it was what has become our pre-
cious furball, Scotty.
Unfortunately we were unable to obtain the license
plate but we did save a poor helpless kitten who other-
wise would have died in the smoldering 30 degrees
weather.
The impact of the throw has handicapped Scotty, his
front right paw is in the shape of a hook but he does-
n't let that get in the way.
Scotty actually uses it to his advantage for now -one
day it will have to be amputated.
Yes, Scotty can open cupboards with his hook and is
fond of opening our living room sliding door too.
I don't know how many times I've gone by the living
room and our furball family is lounging on the sofa.
Thanks, Scotty.
Although Scotty's story has a positive spin, most
don't and this should have never happened.
In May, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-
50, an Act to amend the Criminal Code in respect to
animals.
NINA
VAN
LIESHOUT
KICK THIS
AROUND
Specific changes in the Criminal Code will:
• No longer classify animal cruelty offenses
as property crimes;
•Make it illegal to brutally or viciously kill
animals;
•Raise the penalty for intentional cruelty to
a maximum of five years imprisonment, up
from the current six-month penalty;
• Give judges the authority to raise the fine
for summary convictions to $10,000 from the
current maximum fine of $2,000 and for
indictable offenses remove the cap on fines
entirely;
•Remove the two-year maximum for an
order prohibiting someone who is convicted
from owning an animal;
•Give the judges the authority to order anyone found
guilty of animal cruelty to pay restitution to the animal
welfare organization that subsequently cared for the
animal.
In order for this legislation to be passed as soon as
possible, public support is needed.
Writing to your local member of Parliament in
Ottawa in support of this bill will go a long way.
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