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Re: ‘BREAKDOWNS’ LED TO BRUTAL DEATH OF ANIMAL SHELTER DOG | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:36:48 -0000

I left this shelter because I was treated very poorly by management. I worked extra hard to care for the animals and got paid very little. That part didn't bother me because I liked working with the animals. We had so many cats from that raid and we didn't have enough people to take care of them. When the kennel workers would clean the cats, they had to hurry because there were so many. The cats were always grabbed by the back of the neck to clean the cages. They got so scared and would run to the back of the cage after a few months. The only attention they got was someone grabbing them by the neck and putting them in a carrier. It was so sad and I couldn't deal with it anymore. Also, most of the supervisors would make me really embarrased every time I walked into the office area. They would page me or call and hunt me down just to yell at me because it was taking too long to clean the animals. I just wanted to do a good job. I didn't have any experience and they hired me. I didn't have any training and was just learning. I don't know why those people had to be so mean. I don't think they wanted a person who was there for the animals. They wanted someone who worked fast and they didn't care how the animals were treated as long as the cleaning was done. They are not animal people. They are selfish. Poor animals! I feel better knowing that there might be a change. Maybe I will go back someday. I make more money working at fast food. They treat me better at least.

Re: ‘BREAKDOWNS’ LED TO BRUTAL DEATH OF ANIMAL SHELTER DOG | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 12:46:22 -0000

Thank you Mario, you are so right about about this shelter. They do not comply with the Hayden Act. They are all the things you say they are. It is a corrupt, horrible shelter. Ms. Reger really helped the animals by writing this story. You are wrong on just a few little things. This is not going to be swept under the rug, you can rest assure. Don't blame the employee who handled this dog, that is the way he was probably taught. Rescues are not allowed to take animals from this shelter. Hayden Act is not inforced in Long Beach

Re: ‘BREAKDOWNS’ LED TO BRUTAL DEATH OF ANIMAL SHELTER DOG | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:03:13 -0000

March 15, 2008

Incident date: Thursday, March 13th 2008

Re: Euthanasia Incident

Individuals Involved/Witness List: Victor Martinez, Edna Gonzales, Steve Peltier, Bobbie Ryan, Tonya Elliott, Stephanie Anderson.

This is a report of the incident that happened on 3/13/08, per Sgt. Linn’s request on 3/15/08. All information given in this report is the truth to the best of my knowledge.

My shift began at 8:00am on 3/13/08. The impound cards for euthanasia were being review and signed off by Sgt. Linn and Sgt. Peltier. Sgt. Linn reminded me of a dog that I had to sedate because it was too vicious to even get out of his vehicle. I remembered this dog well. I thought it to be one of the most vicious dogs that I have ever seen. He told me, “You should probably Telazol it in the cage”. I agreed and then headed over to the Euthanasia Room to prep it for a usually busy euthanasia day. Sgt. Peltier walked into the Euthanasia Room shortly after I did and told me, “Victor and Edna will be assisting you today with GK”. He told me “Victor is going to stay overtime from the graveyard shift”. I asked him, “Why” and he told me,” Dave and I are going in the field”. No mention to of anybody else helping. He handed me the stack of cards and I reviewed it, 15 dogs, several of them were marked “Caution”, one of them was the a dog Sgt. Linn and I had discussed earlier. Sgt. Peltier left the room. That was the first time I had a bad feeling about the situation. I thought that Edna was still under training and was not ready to be alone. Sgt. Peltier is her training officer, he would know if she is ready to be alone. Victor had a little more experience but, in my eyes, was not the proper person to be with her. I prepared extra sedative and was planning to sedate every dog that day. Victor and Edna arrived to assist a few minutes later. I told Victor about the dog that was too vicious for Dave and that we should Telazol him in the cage. Victor joked laughed and mentioned something to the fact that I was dealing with a pro and that “No worries”. He told me, “I can handle the dog”. I said, “Dave couldn’t even handle the dog”. I was putting the sedative on the syringe pole and Victor said, “Let me try to get him first”. I told him that he was not going to be able to get the dog and I needed to sedate the dog in the cage. Again, he insisted that he will try it first and if not then we can do it in the cage. He left the room with the rabies pole. I asked Edna, “You are still under training right?“ She said, “Yes”. Sgt. Peltier and Bobbie Ryan were outside the room prepping their truck and I knew I could ask for help if needed. I heard a struggle outside of the euthanasia room near the wash rack. I looked over toward the back door and saw Victor fighting and pulling with the dog on the rabies pole. The dog was covering in blood. He pulled the dog through the doorway. Multiple streams of blood were pouring out of his mouth and nose onto the floor. The dog was being pulled into in the room fighting, dripping blood from his mouth and nose and appeared to be having difficulty breathing. I looked up and seen Sgt. Peltier outside the door that Victor brought the dog into. Victor put the dog up next to the wall near the fire extinguisher. The dog was fighting and blood was flying everywhere. I noticed Bobbie Ryan trying to get away from the dog as Victor brought the dog into the building. She was standing still, not knowing where to go. I said, “Watch out girl!“ She backed away and moved out of the way. I told Victor to put the dog into the holding cage so I can sedate him. The noticed that the dog was turning blue. The dog was flipping around and fighting so much that my syringe needle bent and I had to replace it before administering the drug. I lost my footing on a pool of blood as I walked across the room. I administered the drug and the dog was put the dog in the holding cage. Blood was smeared and pooled everywhere. It was on the floors, walls, doors, cabinets, cages, and it dripped on the ground all the way from the dogs cage to the outside of the euthanasia room. Victor had blood on him and I had blood smeared on my hands and shoes. The huge amount of pools of blood on the floor began to clot. I said, “That is why I wanted to sedate him in the cage”. I told him that we can all be fired for this and that this is wrong is so many ways. I told Victor that we need to clean all this blood up before we get into trouble. He told me that we can do it when we are finished with all the dogs so we didn’t have to do it twice. I told him that someone is going to slip and fall and that we should clean it up before the next dog. I began to wipe some of it up with a towel and realized that there was too much and we needed to hose it. I stepped away for a minute to fill out the drug log and then Bobbie Ryan walked back into the room to get a duck that was in a cage very close to the sedated dog. I warned her not to slip and told her that the duck had been in the carrier all night and smells horrible and that she might want to switch carriers. She walked through the blood to get another carrier outside behind the euth room. As she came back into the room, Officer Peltier quickly followed her inside the euthanasia room and stepped through the blood on the floor. He asked, “What’s the hold up?” Bobbie explained that the carrier smelled and I told her to get another one. He told her that she now tracked in the blood twice and make the mess worse. He said, “Whatever, come on!” Bobbie had a confused shocked look on her face and was obviously upset. I followed them out the door and got the hose from the wash rack to clean the blood. Edna Gonzales was still in the room, watching things unfold, unsure what to do. Victor returned with another dog as soon as I started hosing the room. He asked me, “What are you doing?”. I told him, “what just went on here was not right and that if someone had seen this we would all be in trouble or fired.” He was shocked and said, “Really!” Edna remained silent. I again told the both of them that I have sedative for this very reason. I told them “Things can happen, but this is pretty bad, how this would look to the SPCA or people driving on the road outside the room, not to mention that it is wrong”. Victor said “Sorry” and tied the dog that he had to something and took the hose from me and begin cleaning. I started wiping up the blood on the other end of the room near the back door and wash rack. I realized that the whole area needed to be hosed and cleaned up better after we were done. Shortly after this first episode, we had another very aggressive dog. The dog was brought into the euthanasia room with no problem and sedated. There were about 3-4 dogs laying on the floor and I asked Victor to help me lift some of these dogs to get them off the floor. He asked me if I “hit” all of them. I told him, “no, not all of them”. I was drawing up euthanasia solution for a Shar Pei that was on the floor. I noticed Victor picking the dog up. I thought he was going to put him on the table, but he placed him into the bottom of the barrel. I said, “ I having done that dog yet”. He said, “You didn’t?“ I yelled, “No”. I looked in the barrel and the dog was heavily sedated and his breathing was very shallow. I euthanized him in the barrel and asked them not to put any other dogs in the barrel right now. Edna was looking at me and I just shook my head. By this time I was very frustrated with the whole situation. We continued with the dogs, sedating any animal that might possibly be a problem for the two of them to handle. It was taking a long time and I didn’t realize that the shelter was open or about to open. I do not recall the time. Tonya Elliott opened the front door and peaked in and asked, “What happened out here?” Confused, I walked over to the door as she opened it wider and was horrified. Blood and large blood clots had been pushed underneath the door and onto the ground outside the building. Tonya said, “You need to clean this up right now!” “The public can see this, we seen this walking down the sidewalk.” Then I noticed Stephanie Anderson standing there with her mouth wide open. Tonya asked, “What happened?” I was embarrassed and told her “Later.” She told me Stephanie had clipper blades and stuff for me. I pointed to the back near the wash rack to get Stephanie away from the door. Victor begin cleaning the blood and I walked to the back near the wash rack, forgetting about all the blood back there. I was embarrassed and frustrated by everything, so I quickly brushed them off and walked back into the euthanasia room. I realized at that time that this would never happen again. I was not upset with Victor or Edna because I knew neither of them had the proper training and were not qualified to handle very aggressive animals. I was more upset that my supervisor(s) had put myself and my co-workers at risk of injury and that no animal deserves handled in this manner, no matter how vicious it is. Upset and angry, I knew I needed to report this to my supervisor. Sgt. Linn came in from the field late afternoon and I briefly told him that euthanasia was horrible. I briefly told him about the dog he wanted me to sedate. He asked me why I didn’t sedate the dog in the cage. “No matter what Victor told you.” I agreed with him and told him that I should of just demanded more and should of followed him out to the kennel. I told him that Steve was outside and he could help if I Victor and Edna had issues. We both were busy so the conversation was brief. It was after 5:00pm and Officer Peltier walked into the euthanasia room. We had a personal conversation, unrelated to the incident. I then decided to tell him my concerns since he was the person who told me who my assistants would be and I knew he was outside when everything happened. He also was inside after the incident and I knew he was aware of the struggle. I told him, “I don’t ever want to be put in that situation again.” I asked him “why and who decided that these two people would be able to handle these 15 dogs, most of them were “Cautions”. “You two signed the cards and must have been aware of the situation”. He reminded me of out current staffing shortage and that if he didn’t have to go in the field that he would of helped out. I was still really confused but felt a little better that I addressed my concerns to him. I still was unclear about who my supervisor is and ever was. It changes depending on the situation. I have a legal and moral obligation as a Registered Veterinary Technician to report incidents that are wrong/inhumane/illegal/etc. I realize that I am suppose to report this problem and incident to the very governing agency for whom I work for. The next day I pulled Edna aside in private and told her, “What happened yesterday was wrong and should never happen again.” I said, “I know your new and under training and I could see the shock in your face”. I told her, “ I don’t want you to think that this is normal and this is the way things are suppose to be”. I also told her, “I hope that if you ever see this again, that you will report it to your supervisor.” I told her that I was aware that her training supervisor was there and that I know it seems confusing but I just wanted to let her know that it was wrong. She said, “O.K” . I was on the verge of tears and was more upset that I had to explain this to her. At that moment, Victor Martinez entered the room and apologized for things that happened yesterday. He told me that he had been talked to and was told not to handle a dog on a pole like that ever again. He apologized again and then told me that Edna and him were assisting with euthanasia again today. I thought he was joking. We have a pretty good working relationship so I laughed and said, “Yeah, right!“ I didn’t believe him and brushed him off. He assured me that yes indeed, they were told to assist. I was shocked and silent. Edna and I began heading back to the euthanasia room. I told her, “I can’t believe this, I can’t believe you two are helping again after what I told them!” “No offense” I said. She just smiled and was quiet. There were fewer animals to euthanize and everything went well.

Christine Culhno – Registered Veterinary Technician
Long Beach Animal Control

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:56:55 -0000

Monica, the SPCA does not inclued the LBAC in anything. This is not a "partnership". The stray animals are not included in anything either. They do not get the "SPCA" type of care at all. You know like food, water, bedding, shelter, vet care. How many times did the SPCA employees complain to LBAC about the care of the animals? Pretty much everyday. Why did it go on for so long? SPCA took no action. I guess they are two different entities.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:54:40 -0000

The comments are dying here and on the PT. Everyone is sick from the disease listed in #16. The queen bee probably advised them to shut their mouths because they will inhale raid.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:05:47 -0000

george, I think you posted your comment on the wrong site. This is a non-fictional publication. You want the press telegram.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:04:46 -0000

Whistleblower Accuses Oakland Animal Shelter of Systemic Abuse By MATTHEW ARTZ

A former employee at the Oakland Animal Shelter has detailed what she says are systemic abuses by shelter management. The list of wrongdoings include euthanizing dogs that were cleared for adoption, euthanizing dogs without sedatives and in one case mistakenly leaving a live dog in a freezer in a barrel with dead dogs.

“I just couldn’t be part of that anymore,” said Lori Barnabe, a veterinary technician and animal control officer with Oakland from 1999 through 2004. Barnabe, who now works for an animal hospital in Alameda, detailed her concerns about shelter management to Oakland officials last month in a five-page letter obtained by the Daily Planet.

“We’re taking these charges very seriously,” said Oakland Deputy City Administrator Niccolo De Luca. He said Oakland Police, which run the shelter, were investigating Barnabe’s accusations and that the city administrator’s office would now take an active role in selecting the shelter’s next director. Last June, former Director Glenn Howell resigned to become Director of Animal Control Services for Contra Costa County.

In response to the allegations, and the ongoing search for a permanent replacement to Howell, Oakland councilmembers Jane Brunner and Ignacio De La Fuente have called a town-hall meeting Thursday, Feb. 17.

“We don’t have answers yet, but from what we have seen already in my opinion seems serious and needs serious investigation,” Brunner said.

Oakland Police and shelter officials did not return phone calls for this story, but are expected to attend the meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. at Oakland City Hall.

In addition to questioning the shelter’s euthanasia practices, Barnabe accused shelter brass of altering critical computer records to hide illegal euthanasias, holding dogs in kennels for cruel lengths of time, violating the rights of residents to retrieve their dogs, releasing stray dogs back to owners unneutered, failing to provide shelter workers with safety gloves, and overall neglect often resulting in unintended animal cruelty.

“These practices need to be investigated before the hiring process for the shelter top position is complete,” Barnabe concluded in her letter.

She accused Acting Director and longtime shelter official ReShan McClarty of violating state law governing euthanasia. Last Sept. 26, she wrote, McClarty ordered that 26 dogs be put to sleep even though the shelter had run out of a sedative. Barnabe also charged that the acting director ordered the euthanasia of a dog whose owner had said she would reclaim it.

Moreover, she wrote, he erased information from computer memos that indicated that a rescue group wanted a particular dog and altered temperament information about the dog, making it seem more violent, after it was euthanized.

On numerous occasions, she wrote, the shelter supervisor refused to speak to owners of impounded dogs, sometimes resulting in unnecessary boarding frees for owners. In one instance, according to Barnabe, the owner of an aggressive dog impounded by animal control was never given a hearing as required by shelter rules. It was held for over seven months and eventually euthanized, she added.

A lack of proper procedures endangered both employees and animals at the shelter, Barnabe wrote. Instead of providing shelter workers with disposable rubber gloves when handling animals with communicable diseases like ringworm, scabies and mange, the shelter provided one pair of gloves to be shared by employees.

Employees, she added, were never reprimanded for mistakes that unintentionally led to animal suffering. In one case, Barnabe wrote that kittens left to the shelter in the night drop box were not retrieved the following day, causing one of them to die from overheating.

Pam Smith, a volunteer with the group Fix Our Ferals, said shelter management barred her from the shelter last year after she complained about abuses.

“They’re very worried about their public face,” she said. “Anyone critical of them gets banned.”

Police traditionally run city animal shelters. Berkeley, which transferred control of its shelter from the BPD to a civilian shelter administrator remains a rare exception.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:49:50 -0000

What about euthanizing animals instead of giving them vet care. I think is is against the law to euthanize a treatable animal. Suffering is not old.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:00:09 -0000

Taxpayers have been getting robbed for a long time. A lot of animals die because the shelter is not holding them like they should. Maybe your pet will get out and be euthanized for some sorry reason. Oh, I guess it might be cheaper for the taxpayers if the shelter staff would just keep quiet and keep killing. Peoples pets will die, but that is O.K. Your right, we should just drop this right now. Thanks for enlightening me. Call it off everybody!! The smart "not my idea" person who cannot even spell has the answer.

Re: ‘BREAKDOWNS’ LED TO BRUTAL DEATH OF ANIMAL SHELTER DOG | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:11:54 -0000

What is an anamal? Do they kill them there too.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:26:48 -0000

Not quitting untill you are fired.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:52:44 -0000

No, the RVT did not lie, they should try someone else.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:58:11 -0000

NA will appeal and lose again. Filth is filth. The RVT will testify again but will never be a supporter. Believe it or not the animals were better off being at LB.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:23:00 -0000

Director Ron Arias said…"this incident and perhaps one other report are the only ones he’d seen on such matters."

I bet you did not get a report of a dog who had to be euthanized because a chain was left on his neck for weeks at the shelter. Maybe the District can make that public for your viewing.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:35:49 -0000

My son is verbally abusive and has low test scores, is there a position for him at the shelter? I think he will fit in well.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:59:54 -0000

Hello...You had your chance, you failed. Not only did you fail, you failed against this all this bulls**t. That is sad.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:28:37 -0000

That is against protcol. People get in trouble for that. Slapping is not a good training technique. Against protcol. Im telling the PT.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:32:45 -0000

Killing animals illegally.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:35:23 -0000

Dont be bringing the SPCA in this. They did nothing wrong.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:38:07 -0000

Guilty! So is LB.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:32:53 -0000

"Reports" are usless now. Get your resume ready.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:37:24 -0000

New article. Cat is still a mystery.

http://www.gazettes.com/animalcontrol04242008.html

Re: ANIMAL CONTROL SHAKE-UP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:37:51 -0000

Got all this done without trying. They have more than 1 letter. It takes time to investigate people who are good at cover up. In due time. When you least expect it. Hope not.

Re: WHY I LEFT LONG BEACH ANIMAL CONTROL

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:40:58 -0000

hope not

Re: ANIMAL CONTROL SHAKE-UP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:53:19 -0000

sam wrote:

LB Health Tech....was not doing her job. You will face the music if you return. You did say some truth. Wes was the scapegoat..The the officer that is suspended is partly because of you..YOU the person in charge of the euthanasia room and does what is necessary for the safety of staff and humane treatment of the animals. Christine face it..you failed...Christine you are the one that should have re-instructed
MUCHO OFFicer "V" to do the what was told to The impounding officer pointed that out on the card...sedate this dog. Owners were afraid of this dog and the dog was sedated to be transported to the shelter... There is no place for Mucho Man at the shelter...or mucho attitudes. Learn form this mistake...and take some of the responsibility for these mistakes..
Long Beach Animal Control is one of the best shelters to work for. Lets not lose sight of what shelters have to cope with on a daily basis.
Lets write letters to increase all staffs pay and increase staffing.....
Again with the fake name. Obviously you were misinformed. I sedated the dog after it came to the shelter. The owners did not. I sedated it before euthanasia. Read the report. As for mistakes happen, I agree. Staffing and payscales will increase after this "Sam". For your info- the Veterinarian is in charge of the euthanasia room and now they will be because of this. If is it my fault "sam", why didnt I get suspended and put on unpaid leave like "V".???? Get the facts and identify yourself.

Re: ANIMAL CONTROL SHAKE-UP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:04:43 -0000

ACO for life

my real name is tonya now what do you have to say

Re: ANIMAL CONTROL SHAKE-UP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:17:43 -0000

I administered the drug and the dog was put the dog in the holding cage

Learn to read

Re: ANIMAL CONTROL SHAKE-UP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:33:35 -0000

ACO for life
United States

ps I am ron

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:15:59 -0000

You are the main reason why this happened in the first place. Obvious that you are one of the hostile ones.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:17:00 -0000

#151- Hostile

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:51:41 -0000

Manager of Moses Lake/Grant County Humane Society Shelter under Investigation for Animal Cruelty
April 4, 2007 : 12:00 AM
by Ted Brewer, Best Friends staff

Two employees at the Moses Lake/Grant County Humane Society shelter reported to the society’s board of directors and the Moses Lake Police Department that the facility’s new manager, Theresa “Terry” Parker, has cruelly and unnecessarily been euthanizing several puppies and other highly adoptable dogs impounded and born at the shelter. In addition, two animal control officers have filed animal cruelty charges against Parker.

The current board of directors at the Moses Lake/Grant County Human Society has, of yet, refused to relieve Parker of her position, and has in fact supported her continued employment.

The two employees claim that, even though there was plenty of space available at the shelter for the dogs, Parker euthanized them anyway, allowing them a period of only two to three days for them to be adopted before ending their lives. In one instance, Parker euthanized an entire litter of eight born at the shelter, as well as its mother.

“In truth,” employee Stacey Hill wrote in a letter to the board and sent to the Moses Lake Police Department, “[the shelter] has become a death row prison for animals.”

Hill’s letter claims Parker admitted that her certification as a euthanasia technician had expired, but nonetheless insisted on injecting the dogs herself. It also claims that on numerous occasions Parker was unable to find a vein in which to inject the poison, and instead injected it into either the dog’s abdominal cavity or heart.

The shelter uses a poison called FatalPlus to euthanize the dogs. A sodium pentobarbital, FatalPlus causes severe pain if not injected directly into the blood stream. Hill reported seeing previously healthy dogs “running around the room and screaming in pain,” as well as “slamming their heads against the wall,” before collapsing and dying.

“It’s not due to a lack of space, health issues, or behavior problems,” the second employee, Connie Sanders, wrote in an email requesting help from animal assistance organizations. “Simply fewer dogs mean less work for the staff.”

Sanders and Hill both also stated that Parker was extremely liable to euthanize any dog that barked or snapped, and that she refused to keep more than three puppies at the shelter at any given time. The rest were euthanized.

According to Sanders and Hill, Parker severely limits the amount of food given to the dogs, allowing each dog only a cup or two of dry food per day, even though the shelter has, according to Sanders, “plenty of food” on hand. The dogs have therefore lost a considerable amount of weight and are susceptible to diseases.

The first employee to contact the board of directors with her concerns about Parker was Sanders. She was fired by the board for doing so, though she was responsible for raising the number of adoptions from 50 per month (at the time she was hired) to between 100 and 150.

The president of the board, Harmony L.A. White, resigned out of protest for keeping Parker on duty, as did three other members.

The Moses Lake/Grant County Humane Society is a privately-owned, non-profit corporation, but receives funds from both the city and the county.

White and a group of concerned citizens, including Sanders, are now demanding that Parker be removed from her position immediately and that conditions at the shelter improve. They have brought their case to the mayor of Moses Lake, the Grant County Commission, and are scheduled to testify before the Moses Lake City Council on April 10.

The group is spearheaded by Peny Archer, who at first worried that any news of Parker’s practices would prevent people from donating badly needed funds to the shelter, but now sees no alternative but to go public with the news.

“We’ve been hesitant about airing dirty laundry,” Archer said, “but we’re getting stonewalled now.”

Referring to the current board members who refuse to fire Parker, Archer said, “these are people who have been in control since day one, and they don’t want to give it up. It’s their way or the highway.”

Though Parker has, for now, been barred from euthanizing any more dogs, Archer still worries about the welfare, hygiene, and overall health of the dogs at the shelter, and about how Parker might be treating them.

Archer is requesting help from anyone who might have advice or suggestions for how to end the abuse at her local animal shelter.

Dick Maier, DVM
(this is the vet currently handling the euthanasia)

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:57:51 -0000

Group calls pet deaths cruel
Heart sticks used at shelter painful
By Lynne P. Shackleford
Published: Friday, April 25, 2008 | Updated: 10:02 am
Four days after two former shelter volunteers informed Cherokee County Council that its animal control officers were performing cruel and unlawful euthanizations on shelter animals, it's still unclear how long and why the procedure was ever used.
About 20 people, some affiliated with local animal organizations, attended the county public works committee meeting Thursday afternoon. They wanted to know why animal control officers used intracardial injections, commonly known as heart sticks, to euthanize conscious shelter animals and what guidelines would be imposed to ensure the method isn't used again.
The committee agreed to continue the action council took Monday in contracting with local veterinarians to perform necessary euthanizations in the short-term. Committee chairman Bailey Humphries said that option could be a long-term solution for the county.
Humphries said he was unclear why the intracardial injections were performed on fully conscious animals instead of the preferred method of intravenous injections.
State law prohibits intracardial injections on conscious animals. The legislation states that if the method is used, the animal should be anesthetized and comatose.
Andrea Gilfillan and Libby Swad told council Monday evening that animal control officers, who are licensed and trained in animal euthanasia, were using the method, and they asked for council's assistance to stop the practice.
Department of Health and Environmental Control agents met with animal control officers and a local veterinarian Tuesday morning because neither the shelter nor any of its employees are licensed to have controlled substances in their possession. The county was purchasing the federally regulated substance used to euthanize animals from a local veterinarian, according to county officials.
DHEC spokeswoman Clair Boatwright would not comment on whether an investigation was ongoing or discuss possible penalties.
Dr. Rebecca Laster of the Gaffney Animal Hospital agreed to provide euthanasia services on a contractual basis if the county met certain stipulations. Those included allowing her to review records of the shelter animals and ensuring that animals brought into the shelter have been checked for a microchip, as provided by state law.
Humphries said the county would contact all local veterinarians and likely would contract with those interested on an as-needed basis.
The cost to the county would be substantially more than it has been in the past several years because no anesthetic has been purchased, only the controlled substance used to euthanize the animals.
Sandy Christiansen, director of the Spartanburg Humane Society, described Spartanburg's shelter operations to the committee and said contracting with a veterinarian to provide the service is not comparable to animal control officers performing the procedure in-house, since veterinarians have extensive training and must close their businesses to visit the shelter and perform the euthanizations.
Christiansen contradicted a statement that Interim County Administrator Ben Clary made earlier in the meeting about euthanasia, saying the practice is humane if performed correctly. Clary told committee members that there was no humane way to destroy or kill anything, including dogs, humans and snakes, but that society dictates that the method is necessary.
"There are worse fates an animal can meet than euthanasia, but if it's not done properly, it can be really bad," Christiansen said. "It's sad - no question about that - and it's not desirable to euthanize animals, but many of us are in a position to consider more humane ways of euthanasia than what's being described."
Dr. Bonnie Beaver is the past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, a professor in the Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and considered an euthanasia expert by the AVMA. Beaver said the preferred euthanasia method is an intravenous (IV) injection so the animal only feels a prick.
An intracardial injection on a fully conscious animal is stressful, painful and requires precision because the heart, lungs and the animal are moving during the procedure, Beaver said. It is also difficult to perform with precision, the doctor said. The purpose of euthanasia is to provide the animal with a humane death with minimal stress on the animal, Beaver added.
Christiansen agreed, at Humphries' request, to assist the shelter in making improvements and implementing guidelines, but Christiansen said others at the meeting also were qualified to provide input and have made suggestions in the past.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:33:58 -0000

Was he forced to leave or is he running?

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:16:00 -0000

Can gay dogs get married at the shelter before they are killed?

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:09:47 -0000

One fish out, two fish gone, red fish waiting to go, blond fish - hit and run.

What about the other side? Get rid of the worthless whiney one. She should not be involved in picking who lives and who dies.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:21:23 -0000

This is extactly the type of thing that has been going on at the shelter. Instead of taking care of the animals, certain individuals pull crap like this. They like to belittle and humilate people because it makes them feel better. Low life scumballs. You all better watch out because this type of thing will not be tolerated anymore. You can go packing with the other 2 losers. SP was the king of making people feel low so he can get his jollies . Glad his as* is finally gone.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:26:43 -0000

Who the hell is Edwards? Slime from the SPCA?

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:28:31 -0000

Well, I guess he can sit at home on the tax payers expense. Way to go Long Beach.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:16:40 -0000

Boy it was sure nice to see WM back at the shelter today. We have been working extra hard because of him. They are not thinking of bringing him back after all this are they? I want some more overtime. You were right #336, looks like he did not "resign" after all. Poor animals!!!!!

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:29:15 -0000

This proves that he is still an employee. The Cty of Long Beach and the Press Telegram are full of shi* . If WM broke his own policy, then call the police. Resigned my as* . Maybe they are not announcing his resignation until he is eligible for full retirement, then you will see his name on the Civil Service agenda. "Retired" Take NC for instance. Her reassignment was not posted untill waaayyyy after a position change. You can't do the job, DON"T get paid for it. By the way, being a shelter health tech is not a light duty job. Long Beach has always made up rules because they can. WHY!!!!! Hello.....

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:32:44 -0000

Not a big Q fan but there are several issues that are way beyond her. Let's wait and see what happens after everything is said and done. Will Long Beach get a slap on the wrist and go ahead with the illegal murder of tons of animals? I have a feeling that once this storm is over, old ways are going to re-surface again. The recommendations from the private investigator will probably be ignored, they have a Vet, so obviously the state does not care if they were without proper medical care for the shelter animals. The SPCA will continue to observe their roomates violating the Hayden Bill. The truth is that Long Beach will remain untouched by authorities as long as the SPCA shelters them. I heard rumors that several people contacted OSHA. The City will pay the fines as usual and go on there merry little way. This is life kids. Maybe the SPCA will wise up and do the animals a favor and break ties with the city. That would be the only solution at this point. It's easier to do nothing and keep killing.

Re: ‘LONG LIVE GAY DOGS’ | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:54:01 -0000

Does this animal rights group have a contact person or a website?

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:49:08 -0000

Here is some information. It looks like SPCA LA blames Long Beach for the killings but they are in charge of the adoptions. Im confused?

LBReport.com

Editorial
Auditing Animal Control, Omitting Animals
(July 6, 2004) -- LB is home to the state of the art P.D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village. One building houses SPCA-LA, which selects some dogs, cats and other animals for adoption in good homes. The rest, given up by their owners for good reason or for no good reason or found stray, are killed by the City of Long Beach in a nearby building.
(Exception: LB Animal Control now lets certain authorized 501 (c)(3) animal rescue organizations adopt animals, a praiseworthy reform; kudos to new management.)
SPCA-LA never promised fewer killings and it doesn't do the killings. SPCA-LA promised an operation that finds good homes for adoptable pets, sparing LB Animal Control the task of handling pet adoptions. As best we can tell, SPCA-LA has delivered what it promised.
It's LB Animal Control that does the killings...and taxpayers ought to know for what they're paying.
Ultimately, the solution is to ensure animals don't wind up in the misnamed government "shelter" system. Once in a "shelter," a truly Orwellian term in the animal context, most dogs and cats don't get out alive. We'll await LB management's figures, but we expect about 80% of the cats and dogs on City Hall's web site will end up being killed.

Re: ‘LONG LIVE GAY DOGS’ | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 21:18:13 -0000

MB of the Spca stated here in this article that the stray animals get the same "creature comforts" as the others. You misled the public, the supporters, the contributors and the animals and you are the one that needs to answer to all of this mess. Spca LA is a fraud and will do and say anything to get $$$$$.

In her remarks, SPCA-LA President Madeline Bernstein said:

"It's so important how we treat our animals, and this village, when you go inside, and you see the state of the art material, you see the cottages, you see the residence floors, you see the cat colonies, where the cats are in there playing, it's wonderful to watch. You see separate air systems. You see a philosophy that ever animal deserve respect and food and medical care regardless of why they're here in the first place. You will also see that stray animals that are not yet ready for adoption are given the same creature comforts [as] animals that are in the adoption areas. There are no second class citizens at this facility..."

Re: ‘LONG LIVE GAY DOGS’ | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:38:35 -0000

I googled MB name and the only thing that came up is her involvement with the stupid Britney Spears crap. She is involved in more things than this waste of donations.

Re: LATE LICENSING FEES WILL BE WAIVED AT THE KLOS ADOPTION DAY | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:44:08 -0000

One of the best ways to keep your pet safe and healthy is to keep your animal away from that place. SPCA can afford to offer some "waived" fees or free services at this event. After all, they got the $$$$$ even though they probably could get what they need donated.

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:56:05 -0000

Wash, dry, fold, kill........Wash, dry, fold, kill.......Wash, dry, fold, kill........

We have a new shelter song people!

Re: POOP SCOOP | The District Weekly

Read the report and you decide — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:32:07 -0000

Hi Wag,

In #527 you asked if charges were filed on the "Dog Strangler".
Well, no not yet and it doesn't look like they will pursue it. You want to know why?
This "Dog Strangler" was in the process of being fired at the time of the incident, only he didn't know it. His supervisor was well aware of this and wanted him gone. Maybe this was the reason he watched him struggle and did nothing.
Charges should be filed on him because he is the training officer and he is morally obligated to help. Think what you want, but why did the city initally put blame on someone and not follow through on it? It is because he is innocent. His supervisor resigned for unrelated reasons.

You be the judge.

Who is Mr. Lopez?