ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 17, 1990                   TAG: 9003222316
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ISAAC'S EX-OWNER: CALF DIED IN VAIN

ED SHAMY wrote on Feb. 28 about the trials and tribulations of the Montgomery Humane Society. Again, our dear Isaac, the bull calf with a limp due to problems at his nativity, was mentioned.

This time it was that "Isaac single-hoofedly generated $5,000 in donations." The bonanza Isaac brought to the Humane Scoeity of Montgomery County was short-lived because it was based on greed and emotion and ignored the facts.

First, Isaac was being very well cared for by his owner. He could nurse from his mother, who gave him gentle licking to heal his wounds as only animal mothers will do.

Secondly, Isaac was also trained to hobble on three good legs and was making progress toward being a self-sufficient member of his community.

Thirdly, he would have become food for humans after he had spent time growing up as animals of his type do. Is this dying in vain?

What did happen to Isaac? He was treated as a freak. He was used in the worst sense of the word. He was taken from the gentle care of his mother and owner. He was given over to be cared for by persons who had no idea of what good animal care was.

He was castrated, as such animals usually are. Then he was allowed to lie around without the care of his mother or the watchful eye of an experienced farmer. Finally, due to lack of proper care he started to fail. The ultimate end of Isaac was a "peaceful" injection of a drug to put him to sleep by the VPI&SU veterinarians.

The Humane Society of Montgomery County did get $5,000 from the publicity about Isaac. But now the society is in debt. The best thing that could happen would be for this society to fold up and stop agitating farmers as a do-gooder. Perhaps the leader could make more money for these causes from the lottery or poker. These activities might be more rewarding and cause less strife between people who make a living by raising food for mankind and those who do not understand the basics of agriculture.

Yes, Isaac died in vain.\ W.L. LINKOUS\ Former owner of Isaac\ BLACKSBURG 


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