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Please don't buy a puppy; save one

I was disgusted with the news story "Discount dogs" (Jan. 2).

More than 5 million healthy animals, including many young, purebred dogs, are killed in the United States each year simply because there are not enough homes for them.

In the meantime, breeders and pet store owners breed and sell puppies for profit, often in deplorable conditions. We've all seen the stories lately of the local puppy mills that have been shut down and the poor condition of those dogs.

As puppies wait to be bought in pet stores, they are considered inventory and are provided nothing more than the basic, cheapest necessities to be kept alive until sold to enhance the bottom line. Many times, they later develop health problems due to inbreeding and/or being weaned too early.

I would implore anyone considering purchasing a puppy to instead visit your local animal shelter or Web sites devoted to pet rescues, such as petfinder.org, and adopt a homeless pet. Healthy animals of all ages and breeds are available at minimal fees that usually cover their initial medical expenses.

Please help end the pet overpopulation problem and give a homeless shelter animal the chance at life it deserves.

The cruel hunt for bargain dogs

I almost fell out of my chair reading "Discount dogs" (Jan. 2). I use the same strategy shopping for a new calendar every January: The deeper into January before shopping, the better.

This is about money and moving inventory. Tragically, these people aren't talking about calendars or cars or holiday decorations, but sentient animals who need love, care and long-term commitment.

Meanwhile, millions of loving dogs live caged in pounds, waiting for good homes. Each one was once a "prime" 8-week-old puppy.

Public's revulsion wasn't overblown

I read Shanna Flowers' column "2007 -- the year we all prevailed" (Dec. 30). It was well-written, as always. However, her statement of "the overblown public blood lust directed at Michael Vick" spoke volumes.

I turned a few more pages in the day's newspaper to find an editorial, "The realities of animal fighting," that I certainly hope Flowers read and took to heart.

How does one prevail if one does not take seriously the depth of the cruelty of animal fighting? Animal fighting is criminal. Surely, as a champion of young black women, Flowers would not want them (or anyone) to minimize the real connections that occur in tandem with dogfighting, as well-presented in The Roanoke Times editorial: gambling, money laundering, drug offenses, assaults and other serious crimes.

Unfortunately, the dogs cannot speak, or they could detail the inhumane lives they have been forced to live. Thank goodness there are people who will take a stand for those who cannot speak for themselves.

We need strict legislation and because of the "overblown public blood lust directed at Michael Vick," we will surely get it. In that way, we will prevail.

Housing inspections are open to abuse

I'm writing to comment on your news story "2 houses leave man nearly homeless" (Jan. 2).

I'd like to thank The Roanoke Times for doing this story because of the growing problem of harassment by Roanoke inspectors, especially in Southeast and Southwest.

The fact that a man can be jailed for zoning violations is frightening considering how broad the code is. It's really up to the inspectors whether to enforce a violation because the fact is that if you read the building and maintenance codes, they are quite broad.

If they were strictly enforced, there is not a home in Roanoke that could not be cited. That means we are all at the mercy of city inspectors' whims.

I've had friends given two hours to leave their home on Good Friday. I've had other friends have to sell their homes at giveaway prices because they couldn't make repairs in the allotted time, and these people owned their homes. These are only a few of many cases.

The sad part is that this is not really for the safety or welfare of the citizens of Roanoke. As usual, it's all about city revenue.

Keep what's greener than a green building

In response to the commentary "The future of Roanoke: Rockledge is not just about a restaurant" (Dec. 30):

What sense is it to tear down nature's greenness to build man-made green?

If you want to be a green community, build more green buildings and businesses. Developing an already green mountain will not make our community greener.

There are plenty of vacant buildings that can be redeveloped into green apartment buildings for middle- to low-income residents.

Medicare needs a plan that's problem-free

After reviewing 52 prescription drug plans in my area, on Dec. 4 I filled out an application online to switch plans. After about a week, I got my prescription card in the mail.

All was set until I got a letter from the company I had applied with, telling me that Medicare had denied my application because I could not switch twice in the same 12-month period. I had never switched in the first place.

After about two hours on the phone listening to automated messages from two different companies and Medicare, I finally got to talk to a customer service representative to explain my situation. She said she would turn it over to the "problem-solving department." Don't you get the feeling there is something wrong when an organization has a problem-solving department?

Finally, on Dec. 27, the problem-solving department called and told me that I was within the valid enrollment period and should not have received a denial letter and that someone had made a mistake.

It's a shame for us senior citizens in the good old United States to have to go through so much red tape just to get a prescription filled.

Roanoke police need a garage

I have just completed the Roanoke City Police Citizens Police Academy and am impressed with the leadership and officers I have met. Their dedication, education and efficiency are commendable.

Recently, I participated in a ride-along with a city police officer from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Upon checking out his shift vehicle, the battery was dead due to it being parked on Campbell Avenue from the prior shift with the lights on, which is necessary for safety reasons. The officer then had to call for a jump start.

I was told that this scenario is customary during shift changes.

Why isn't there a garage or designated area behind the department that would accommodate vehicle exchanges? What a mess on inclement weather days as well as traffic jams during the 8 a.m. shift.

The city police face dangerous situations daily and must make split-second decisions. The city should alleviate unnecessary disturbances and delays to officer shifts.

The police department must be given the facilities necessary to keep Roanoke a desirable city in which to work and live.