One colorful way of describing a very serious disagreement is to term it a “cat and dog fight.” One wonders whether a better analogy might be “a fight among people caring for cats and dogs.”

Disputes between local government entities and organizations formed to provide care for abandoned animals are common. So, for that matter, are battles among different factions of humane societies and similar groups.

One such duel nearly went to court. In November, Belmont County commissioners authorized a lawsuit against the Belmont County Humane Society, over a $30,000 donation from American Electric Power. It was made in December 2016.

It seems the bone of contention involves how the money was used. Commissioners at that time had hoped and expected the money would be used to install new dog kennels at the county animal shelter. Instead, the organization utilized the funding to care for cats.

This week, commissioners, in a 2-1 vote, agreed to drop the litigation. That was on the recommendation of Prosecuting Attorney Dan Fry. It had been pointed out that AEP’s donation was to the humane society, not the county commission.

No doubt there are good arguments to be made on both sides of the controversy. What is sad about this one — as well as many others that have occurred and will occur throughout the Ohio Valley — is that nearly everyone involved has the same priority: relieving the suffering of abandoned animals.