Imagine briefly that a group of Georgians who have frequently had uncomfortable encounters with dogs decided to confront the problem by initiating a campaign in Georgia to eliminate 100 dogs a month. The group is financially supported by a billionaire who, in her youth, was disfigured by a dog.

Beginning in January 2017, group members ruthlessly kill three dogs each day, and kill nearly 100 by the end of the month. Feeling righteous and empowered, the group membership expands, and by the end of February they have eliminated more than 200 hundred dogs. Despite the outrage expressed by citizens throughout the state, and the pledge by law enforcement officials to end the travesty and punish those responsible, the group is well organized and elusive. By the end of July, the group is responsible for the deaths of over 800 dogs. Imagine the outrage expressed by the citizens of Georgia.

In reality, as of July 18, 784 people have been killed in traffic accidents on our roads and highways in Georgia. There is no outrage, nor pledges made by law enforcement officials, or action proposed by our state officials.

No doubt, if the dog-eliminating group described above existed, the people involved would be quickly captured and punished. Yet we ignore the deaths of nearly 800 people since Jan. 1.

How many more innocent people must die on our roads before appropriate action is taken? More than 3,000 people have been affected by those tragic deaths. How much money is each of those lost lives worth? Ask Gov. Nathan Deal, or state Sen. Butch Miller or state Rep. Lee Hawkins.

Frank Lock
Gainesville

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