T.S. Debby Drowns Five Dogs

Every natural disaster or severe weather event brings stories of tragedy and heartbreak. As Tropical Storm Debby now clears the coast of Florida the local animal community is left with one such story. On Monday, June 25, 2012 Jacksonville.com reported the deaths of four puppies and oneyoung dog, drowned in a flash flood that engulfed Bradford County Animal Control. 

Familiar with the dangers brought by tropical storms and flash floods, the shelter staff had prepared as best they could and their animals were safe. Animals had been moved to the higher parts of the shelter, drainage ditches had been dug, and sand bags were laid. However, despite their best efforts, shelter staff was devastated to find that a nearby creek had broken it banks and flooded the shelter. Like many people, they were caught out by the phenomenal, some might say biblical, amounts of water dumped by Debby. 

At times like this it is natural to point fingers, lay blame, or otherwise vent our anger and frustrations towards shelter staff. I myself am not averse to such behavior and I'm usually not backward in presenting my opinions. Today I want to take no such action. It seems to me that the staff did what they could. All we can do is hold those lost dogs in our thoughts and prayers, and hope that the shelter staff can recover in the face of their loss when faced with the power of Mother Nature.