To the Editor:

I learned recently that our dedicated dog control officer, Cheryl Baitsholts, was unceremoniously terminated. Cheryl is not only compassionate, she is a very astute judge of dog temperament.

Many years ago, she enlisted me to help with a little stray pitbull-beagle mix. My husband and I wound up adopting the little brindle dog we named Honeydew and she was the start of something big — breaking down our own prejudices regarding pitbull-type dogs.

Cheryl's actions in going the extra mile enabled us to save a lot of dogs. And over the years, when we have been able to help her help, it's always been rewarding.

Cheryl has shown that she is not about just picking up a dog and waiting the time to have it moved on to a sad end. She tries to find owners and, when that is not possible and the dog is adoptable, to find the right fit.

I don't know the person who has replaced her in Berne but it doesn't matter — there was zero reason to make that decision and I hope it can be revisited.

Helene G. Goldberger

Berne

Editor’s note: Helene G. Goldberger notes that she is a lawyer, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, and a Pat Miller Certified Trainer.