By: Daiyu Tang
There are many reasons why Hathian is somewhat fairly regarded as a ‘dump’… and while some might disagree (the leafier Columtreal right at the outskirts being a case in point) it’s not exactly a pretty city.
It also has a stray animal problem and no official way to deal with this.
Readers may be familiar with K9s in the service of the Hathian Police Department (‘HPD’), these animals being trained for narcotic, explosive or just criminal ‘handling’ duties.
These animals, unless they are out of control are a useful part of the public services that HPD is meant to offer and help to ensure officers are not in harms way and hopefully are a ‘safer’ way to take down certain criminals than pointing a gun at them.
But today as I was at the office, a stray (pictured in our header and below) approached and while I didn’t in the end feel in danger, it is really difficult to know – rabies? Very hungry? It’s a risk to try and be kind to people in Hathian (Alice) let alone animals… And while the breed of the animal looked rare, regal almost, it wasn’t a risk I could take, although perhaps I needn’t have been concerned as while watching the dog it removed a rat from our streets, making them a little bit cleaner one pest at a time…
The Mayor’s Office gave us this comment:
“If you’re a stray from home, running away with nothing but your attractive body then the Mayor is happy to help…. Apply directly… OH ANIMALS? Who has time for that! You think with all the challenges at FDH and HPD we have time to worry about a few stray dogs?! Damn bleeding heart journalists…”
Mayor Bobby Boxer, via spokesman
Maybe the city needs an ‘Official Rat Catcher’… but in reality it probably needs stable homes to take in strays like this. This particular one seems to be around the Pawn Shop, Observer and so on. Perhaps if you are brave or recognise the breed as valuable or easily trainable, you might try and do what the Mayor and Civic Services can’t.
((If you are interested in potentially adopting this particular stray, or have RP storylines, e.g. HPD, etc then reach out to: Weeko Cetan (zahallanah) ))
