A couple of years ago we adopted a kitten from the Burien animal shelter, back when it was run by King County.

We had a fantastic experience with them, and my son and husband ended up volunteering there, to give back to them. When our kitten got sick we brought him in and received excellent and immediate veterinary care from the shelter vet.

Then Burien switched to using Burien CARES, our local shelter was closed, and sometime later I was bitten by a pit bull on my street.

This dog was regularly out on his own, outside his fenced yard, and according to CARES he had also been reported by several other neighbors. After the bite (which was fortunately through heavy pants & knee high leather boots, so I didn't scar) I had to go the long way around to avoid the dog and keep myself and my young children safe.

My issue is not so much that this dog is still on the street, but that CARES doesn't return my phone calls or emails.

When you call 911 after a dog bite, or to report a stray pit bull, they refer you to the old King County animal control, which no longer serves Burien, and you have to find your own way to Burien CARES.

You then leave a message for Burien CARES, which they don't return or give any indication that they are working on the issue. Burien CARES is not doing enough to keep our community safe.

Besides the initial phone conversation where I recounted the bite in detail, they have never responded to my requests for information on the status of the dog that bit me. They have done nothing when I reported to them that the dog was, yet again, out on his own outside his fence.

Our street is not safe with this dog and Burien CARES does absolutely nothing.

I believe the City Manager thinks we have gone with a cheaper option for animal control, but at what real cost?

Emily Mellow DeTray
Burien