I have lived in Johnston County for 35 years. I have paid my county taxes for 35 years. I am a handicapped person, and I live alone, but I had never asked the county for anything, until a few days ago.

I had a kitten that ended up being stuck up a tree for five days. I called the Sheriff’s Department two times, and I called Animal Control two times. Also, the local fire department does not get cats out of trees. I live one mile from the fire station; it would have taken five minutes for firefighters to get my kitten down to safety. I even called one of the county commissioners. Everyone told me there was nothing they can do.

What am I paying taxes for? Where is my money going? Why does everyone turn their backs on you when you need help?

What is a person supposed to do? If someone ties a dog to a tree and does not feed it for days, he or she is charged with animal abuse. But the county can leave an innocent kitten in a tree forever and get away with it. This is also animal abuse. Our taxes keep going up, and the county does less and less.

My kitten had not had any food or water for five days, and no one I called would help me. I finally decided to call a tree service to see if it could help me. It did come out and help me. The folks charged me $100, but my kitten is safe and sound in my arms.

I would like to know, Who should pay this $100? Where is our county tax money going? Why has the county stopped doing anything to help the citizens?

J.A. JONES
Cleveland community