Gomers: What's going wrong

By the Gazette Editorial Board

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ABANDONED DOGS: The rapid decline of pheasants in Iowa over the past few years, combined with the lingering effects of the economic recession, are creating a snowball effect: Fewer hunters are taking to the fields and more of them are dumping their bird dogs. We understand why fewer hunters are expected for the pheasant season that opens Oct. 30 - the bird's population hit an all-time low in Iowa this summer - but what kind of “sportsman” would abandon a trained, loyal dog to fend for itself or put more pressure on the limited resources of rescue organizations and animal shelters?

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BED BUGS: It's not just New York City's problem. Experts and public health officials are warning Iowans of a looming explosion of bed bugs. Already, sitings of these pests are being reported in the Corridor area. International travel and changes in insecticide use are blamed for return of these 3/16-inch creatures, which feed on blood. Bed bugs aren't known to spread diseases, but they can interrupt your sleep with annoying bites, leave droppings and are expensive to eradicate one they're established in your home. Call your county public health department for information and advice.