Ensign optimistic on pet rescues

Benjamin Grove

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2005 | 11:19 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., said he is optimistic that the federal officials overseeing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will now better coordinate pet rescues.

Ensign met with Vice Admiral Thad Allen during a day-trip to Louisiana on Wednesday. Allen vowed to hire two people as soon as possible to coordinate animal handling -- one in southeast Louisiana and one in the southwestern part of the state damaged by Hurricane Rita, Ensign said.

Ensign has lobbied the White House to name someone to take charge of dealing with animals left behind by people fleeing the storms, as well as countless strays. The animals pose a potential danger to returning residents and relief officials and can carry disease, he said.

"Dogs are pack animals and these dogs are starting to form packs out there," Ensign said Wednesday night. "They are starting to be a danger to humans. It's a serious public health concern."

Ensign sat in on a daily 10 a.m. briefing held by government agencies and private animal groups to organize the day's rescue and round-up efforts.

Ensign also visited a Baton Rouge pet shelter which now houses hundreds of dogs and cats, a few tortoises and even two pet mice. He had high praise for the multi-agency coordination there. Ensign said federal agencies and groups, including the Humane Society, as well as volunteers, seem to be working well together. He said animals appeared to be well cared for and some are being reunited with owners. Others are going to foster homes, with hopes that the owners might still claim them, Ensign said.

But the actual rescue teams generally lack a law enforcement officer or National Guard member that has authority to break into houses and get pets out, Ensign said.

"That's the missing piece," Ensign said.

Allen agreed, and vowed to try to commit the manpower, Ensign said.

There are still 3,500 requests from residents for rescue teams to check on their animals in New Orleans that teams have not yet responded to, Ensign said. He said 200 veterinarians had volunteered there since Hurricane Katrina nearly a month ago.

Ensign, a veterinarian, said he would like the issue of animals to be a part of investigations of the response to Hurricane Katrina. He said some people did not leave their homes when a rescue was offered because they could not take their pets -- putting human and animal lives in danger. That's an issue federal officials should consider in preparing for the next disaster, he said.

"It's very important that we learn the lessons from this disaster and not repeat mistakes in the next one," Ensign said.

Ensign also toured by helicopter some of the damage caused by Rita. He said all that was left of one town were the concrete slabs where houses used to stand.

"Talk about something that dramatically changes your life," Ensign said. "Can you imagine -- not only is your house gone, but your whole town is gone."

Ensign's congressional office paid for a corporate plane made available by Verizon Communications to make the trip. The cost was roughly $2,000 for Ensign and two staffers, Ensign spokesman Jack Finn said.