Extraordinary disasters often bring communities closer together, neighbors helping neighbors, showcasing the abundant charity and do-good spirit of people. Such has certainly been the case with Hurricane Florence and the cities and towns the storm inundated.
Additionally, such extraordinary events can highlight how asinine government regulations can be. Such is the case with the arrest of a Goldsboro woman for saving, sheltering, and caring for more than two dozen dogs and cats imperiled by Florence. Why? Because she did not have the proper government license to do so.
“Crazy’s Claws N’ Paws in Goldsboro turned over 27 dogs and cats on Monday after Wayne County animal services determined the group was operating an unregistered animal shelter, The (Goldsboro) News-Argus first reported.
On Friday, the rescue posted on its Facebook page to say that Crazy’s Claws N’ Paws founder and director Tammie Hedges had been arrested and transported to the Wayne County Detention Center.
Hedges was released later that day on a $10,000 unsecured bond, the rescue said on Facebook, and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 17.
Hedges was charged with 12 counts of misdemeanor “practice/attempt veterinary medicine without a license” and one count of “solicitation of a Schedule 4 controlled substance,” according to a statement from Wayne County posted to the county’s Facebook page on Friday.”
Hedges allegedly noticed several pets were sick and have them antibiotics to help them recover, as well as to prevent infections from spreading to the other animals.
We understand that there are legitimate reasons to regulate the field of medicine, but this is certainly one example of how too much government can make a criminal out of even the most noble person.
The state statute in question includes a list of exemptions, to which disaster response by Good Samaritans should most certainly be added during the upcoming special session of the N.C. General Assembly.
Additionally, when the October 17 court date comes around, the presiding judge should make quick work of dismissing this charge out of sheer common sense.
Can you imagine the disincentive this creates for helping people and pets during times of disaster if these charges are upheld?
When disasters hit, the government should want people to help each other as much as possible. We all know that individual acts of charity are more timely and effective than government programs. Government aid is usually so slow it makes snails look like Dale Earnhardt on a Sunday.
Read more about this insult to human decency and complete waste of government resources here.
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