To the editor:

Joyce McArthur’s letter in the Dec. 31 Record ignores some pertinent facts.

This is NOT range country, all domestic livestock must be in a secured pasture to avoid becoming a road hazard.

Why were the alpacas loose? Inadequate fencing, negligence or other reasons not explained?

Traffic control by the fire department in emergencies — fires, road accidents, etc. — is performed by volunteers who leave their employment to perform their duties, thus losing income.

Expecting the sheriff’s department to respond for traffic control is asinine when we have far too few deputies at the best of times.

Had the deputy arrived on the scene, depending on regulations, Ms. McArthur might have received a citation for allowing animals to stray.

Be thankful others helped you and stop complaining! Or is it an excuse for your own carelessness?

The writer has been around livestock for 70 years and made sure his fences were kept up.

ROBERT TURNER

Clinton