BENTON – Facebook came alive after popular pooch in the township of Benton passed away Thursday. Witnesses say he was struck by a car along Fifth Street.
A widely-known local stray, the mongrel dog was loved by the community. Several people came to Marshall County Daily’s Facebook page to express their condolences. Here are some examples from Facebook of Benton Dog’s lore in town:
Brittany Jeter: A few days ago, I saw him in the median just past South Marshall on the four lane. I don’t know where he was hit at but I remember thinking that dog can get anywhere without worrying about cars. There were several times through town I would stop or slam on my brakes to let him cross. Someone told me a few years ago that the dog catcher had caught him a few times and took him to the shelter or Humane Society and each time someone would adopt him, he would run off from the home. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but he certainly doesn’t have to worry about the heat, the cold, cars or anything like that again.
Charlene Pratt: Some people called him “The Mayor” of Benton. He walked out in front of my car several months ago and I almost hit him. Just had to call my Denver friends to tell them I almost hit the mayor of Benton. He will be missed. It’s so sad he never really had a real home.
Kimberly Bradford Kisner: I saw him at Walmart last week, I will miss seeing him around town.
Tammy Lee Walter Rudd: So sad, I always looked for him when I was in town and always stopped for him when he was in the road. He will be missed!
Benton Dog had his own Facebook page, indicating his love within the community. Several posters offered to adopt him or take him to a veterinarian for a proper check up.
Marshall County veterinarian Dr. Paul Jaco said, “I hate that he is dead. He has been here for years.”
Jaco said anyone adopting a dog or buying a pet may use invisible fencing to keep their dog safe. “Wireless fencing has been made affordable. You can hang it in your garage and set it to give a dog a slight shock to keep it within a certain radius. It requires no digging or landscaping.”
Stray animals are taken to the Marshall County Animal Shelter. Pets may be adopted from this location or the Marshall County Humane Society. For more information on giving a pet a home, call the Animal Shelter at 270 527-0954 or the Humane Society at 270 354-8738.