Once again, North Carolina has shown how truly backward it is when it comes to the treatment of animals.

Not only has the legislature once again failed to pass even a “first step” bill to help reduce the proliferation of puppy mills in the state, but the Agriculture Department also continues to harass shelters that are actually saving animals’ lives while it ignores the inhumane treatment of animals that is pervasive at pig farms and other slaughterhouses.

The Agriculture Department’s latest target — the place they have been harassing for years — is The Haven in Raeford.

Although this no-kill shelter has exhibited less-than-ideal housing conditions for its animals, it has saved the lives of more dogs and cats than any other organization in this area.

While North Carolina officials attempt to look good by occasionally passing “tougher” animal cruelty statutes, the reality of life in this state is that no one goes to prison, even for felony animal cruelty.

Judges usually arrange a plea bargain or simply slap the hands of people who starve, maim and kill innocent dogs and cats.

Help change this horrible situation by writing letters to the officials who contribute to the cruel treatment of animals: the state Secretary of Agriculture in Raleigh (about the shoddy treatment of shelters like The Haven and the atrocious conditions in slaughterhouses); the governor of North Carolina (about the overall situation — we kill more than a quarter of a million dogs and cats every year!); and your Moore County Board of Commissioners.

Remember these people when you go to the voting booth. The only way we can change any of this is to vote against every incumbent in the system. Eventually, they may get the message.

Tony Lennon

Southern Pines