An animal-loving FrontBurnervian passes along a communique from CBS brass in New York City to a local person who had complained about a local CBS Channel 11 staffer bringing a gun to work to shoot some feral dogs outside their Fort Worth studios. Hang on. Before you get too worked up, know that the gun was loaded with rock salt. Here is the explanation offered on February 8 to the complainant by Robin Bona, vice president of human resources for CBS Television Stations:
We have looked into the matter addressed in your email to Mr. Dunn [Peter Dunn, president of CBS Stations]. Although Company Policy does prohibit firearms in the workplace, these were unusual and unique circumstances. There were very aggressive dogs in the area of the station. Employees who were coming into the station at night were fearful of being attacked.
The County was contacted but they will only come out to pick up trapped animals. The police actually came to the station and advised that these dogs were dangerous and, if they came across the dogs, they would shoot them.
I was advised that it was rock salt that was shot at the dogs and it occurred at the back of the station where there were no employees. Also, rock salt does not penetrate the skin. It was used to scare the dogs away. At no time was anyone in danger.
There are currently traps set. If the dogs are trapped, the County will come and pick them up.
We understand your concerns and hope that this has cleared up any questions you may have.
Now, listen. I don’t have any problem with shooting feral dogs with rock salt, especially if they are aggressive. I just wonder how the TV station would treat this story if they learned that, say, someone down at the Morning News were doing the same thing.
