people if you can't afford to care totally for an Animal don't get one, this goes for food , Love, and vet care!

Sara, I don't think Barb's comment was directed at people like you, trying to do the right thing.

I love animals however, do we not find it strange that this owner got charged because he could not afford a few thousand dollars to get a growth removed, however a teenager and another person intentionally dragged their puppies on the back of a pick up and they got their dogs back. If anything they should be offering help instead of arresting, but then why would they when even animal care is all about money. At least the guy did not take the dog and euthanize it like some would.

Another example of "do gooders" going over board. Is the growth threatening the life of the dog? Is the growth painful? Is it unsightly to those that look at the dog? What is the reason for this charge? Would you rather the owners drop the dog off in the woods and abandon it somewhere or lovingly care for it as best they can?

"Big Brother" is alive and well in Upper Milford Township.

I purchased 2 dogs 5 years ago, knowing that 2 dogs come along with huge expenses. Between food, grooming, annual vet care, flea and tick prevention, the cost adds up quickly. But Jacob has skin allergies which require expensive food and medication to prevent him from licking/scratching. And despite applying flea/tick preventatives every month, he still ended up with Lyme disease. Jazmine on the other hand, seemed well until she was 3 years old and the stench from her mouth was getting increasingly foul. We then learned that she had a huge growth in her mouth/jaw area. She needed surgery to remove this growth which in total cost us about $3,500. She also lost a few teeth as a result and now requires expensive soft food because she cannot chew hard food. Two years later, her growth is coming back. It causes her no pain, just fowl breath. We have decided not to do another surgery mainly because of financial reasons. We have spent well over $10,000 on medical issues for 2 dogs over 5 years which does not include regular 'maintenance". So because I am electing not to get surgery does that mean I should be charged with animal cruelty? I feed my dogs every day, give them their medication, make sure they get enough exercise, get them groomed and most importantly LOVE THEM LIKE FAMILY! It is a shame that vet care is so expensive...maybe more people would take their animals to the vet if the care wasn't so astronomical!