It isn't a matter of race it is actually a matter of educational level. Lesser education levels directly correlate to the level of myths and assumptions a community believes in. The more educated an individual is the more like they are to rely on science rather than old habits and myths.

How in the world does 'free spay/neuter' make a person more responsible? I find this type of thinking fascinating. I would think a responsible person would take something more seriously if they actually had to pay something! I completely understand that spaying and neutering can be expensive, but I do not believe this is the main reason folks refuse to do it. There are definately cultural reasons, but I don't believe this is the main reason either. The real reason pet owners don't do it in this town is they do not value it. Or should I say, they value their fancy phones and toys more than stopping unwanted litters. After all, there are no penalties for this type of behavior.

i have to agree. she really put her foot in her mouth on that one. the real problem here is low income and education. a free spay/neuter program would make a huge impact on the strays. it doesn't matter what nationality you are, we all need to be responsible for our actions and keep our pets safe. in addition, making it illegal to not spay/neuter unless you have a breeders license. they have similiar laws to that in other counties and they don't have the stray problems that kern does. there are so many strays on our roads, both alive and dead. i have brought three home in the last 2 years, and still have all of them. my pets are part of my family. I really hope the new director can implement and carry out some new ideas that will make an impact on our counties continued stray and overpopulation problems. Euthanasia is not the answer :(

The new animal control director is right !! I have a gerat idea !!! To control the pet population get rid of the ILLEGAL ALIENS first lets control that population first !!!! then everything thing else will fall in place!!!!

It's completely judgmental how people are quick to point the finger at Mexicans. I have an issue with my neighbors letting their dogs & cats roam the neighborhood freely & guess what?? Every single one of them is WHITE!!!!! So, to point the finger & say that Mexicans are the problem is completely out of line.

It's completely judgmental how people are quick to point the finger at Mexicans. I have an issue with my neighbors letting their dogs & cats roam the neighborhood freely & guess what?? Every single one of them is WHITE!!!!! So, to point the finger & say that Mexicans are the problem is completely out of line.

I'm sorry to read how our new animal control director generalizes Mexicans in her published report. She does this by claiming Mexicans have brought poor animal ownership habits from Mexico and practice them here in Kern County. I would like to ask our new director who or what does she blame for the poor animal hoarding and animal breeding pratices by the non Mexican population in communities such as Oildale. One only needs to look at the past animal hoarding cases in Kern County to find Non- Hispanic last names as the convicted. Would she blame poor European animal standards? How does she account for the lack of animal activism in Kern Co , which she noted in her report, by the American population here? I feel that here statement regarding the Mexican population was offensive. It separated that community from all other communities in Kern County. She could have said that communication needs to be done in Spanish to reach a large demographic of animal owners in Kern County. I wish and support her in the post as Animal Control Director.