Grants Animal Board seeking new member

By Jim Tiffin
Cibola County Bureau

GRANTS — Spaying and neutering animals is the biggest pet concern most people in Grants have.

Martha Gigaine, a member of the city’s animal board, said people just do not seem to spay or neuter. Sometimes, not always, it could be because of money.

Denise Marinelli, of the Animal Advocates in Motion Humane Society of Cibola County, said that cost, which is sometimes about $160-$180, can be lowered to $15-20 if the animal owner meets a low-income guideline.

The city of Grants Animal Board is seeking a replacement since the passing of its president, Jack Gaughergy, about two weeks ago. The new board member will not necessarily be president though, Gigaine said.

The board examines all city ordinances that affect animals, how they are to be controlled, housed, when to be on a leash and when not and more, she said.

The animal ordinances do not seem to impact residents much, Gail W. Smith said .

She has been a dog owner her entire life, until she lost both of her dogs within the past year. She said she is concerned about all the dogs she sees tied.

“The city’s laws don’t seem to make a difference to anyone from what I see,” she said. Like many people, she said she “does not even know what the city’s laws are.”
“Tying dogs up in a yard to a stump, I would never treat a dog like that,” she said.

She offered a scenario if a male and female dog are not spayed or neutered.

The male, if allowed to run loose like many do, can impregnate dozens of females who come into heat twice a year.If half of a litter of 14 are females, there are seven dogs that will come into heat for the first time at the age of six months.Smith said one can see how the population can explode exponentially.

Marinelli said anyone with income lower than $18,000, or who is on some kind of assistance, and can show proof of that, can qualify for the low income spay and neutering.

The operations are done through the humane society in Albuquerque, she said.

“The people take the animal up in the morning and pick it up in the afternoon. It does not stay the night,” she said.

The society’s office is at 411 W. Santa Fe and office hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., although Marinelli said the society does not have many volunteers and because she is in and out, people should call (505) 287-9422 for an appointment.

The office does not have a sign on Santa Fe Ave. It is located inside the Thigpen Investments complex in building three, she said.

For an animal board application: City Hall, 600 W. Santa Fe Ave., during normal business hours.

To contact reporter Jim Tiffin call (505) 287-2197 or e-mail: jtiffin.independent@yahoo.com.