TO THE EDITOR:

I would strongly suggest that the local elected officials of Washington Wilkes check all the facts and consider the mechanics of how to implement a TNR (Trap-Spay/ Neuter-Release) program before even remotely considering adopting such a program as suggested by Ms. Lear’s letter to The News- Reporter.

A good place to start is www.tnrrealitycheck. com/studies which has some interesting reading. The city of Athens adopted such a program at their March 2, 2010, meeting in spite of the overwhelming voices against it. As someone whom has relatives living in Athens, I am afraid that now they, along with the rest of Athens/Clarke County taxpayers, will live to regret this decision for many reasons.

The flat truth of the matter is that TNR does not work and it has quite an adverse affect on native wildlife, local water quality, domestic, human, and wild animal health. There is overwhelming evidence to support this. There are several studies out there to prove this such as: www. pamelajohatley.com/Articles /JAVMA%20study%20report.pdf and http://ca.audubon.org/chapter_ assets/2009LongcoreetalConBio. pdf.

I have read both of these reports and they support my personal conclusions based on 30+ years as a conservationist and wildlife manager. TNR does not solve the feral cat problem and TNR supporters cannot give you concrete evidence to support that it does. Science and common sense should rule the day when it comes to issues like TNR and not human emotions.

Joseph M. Riley

Danburg