Bo B Bunny
Well-Known Member
I heard this story a couple of days ago but only just now found it again to post it. I am FURIOUS! This rescue is about 1 hour or less from me and it's on zootoo for reviews. I'm glad I didn't review it! :X I might go to that meeting if I can next week!
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?s=8085953
Euthanizations lead to shake-up at animal shelter
Anderson mayor Kris Ockomon
Cat Andersen/Eyewitness News
Anderson - There's been a shake-up in management at an animal shelter after dozens of dogs were put to sleep without explanation.
Speaking for those who can't speak for themselves, Anderson animal lovers went to their mayor to find out why the city's animal shelter euthanized 28 dogs on Wednesday without explanation.
"The thing that tipped the scale is that we had one animal in particular that was proposed to be adopted soon and that animal was put down. We don't know the reason," Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon said.
Ockomon also says that the shelter's senior humane officer Larry Russell didn't give a reason for why the dogs were euthanized.
"I think Larry's heart was in the right place," Ockoman said. "He was trying to do the right things, but if it's determined that they were wrongly put down, then yes, disciplinary action would take place."
Russell and another employee were removed from the shelter the next day and placed on paid administrative leave. Ockomon says he plans to meet with Russell on Monday to decide his future and if any disciplinary action would be taken. The city is now considering privatizing the shelter.
"I've seen a real uplift in operation in the last 12 hours," said shelter volunteer Mike Kase. "Claudia has brought a spirit of number one, the animals come first. Let's do some positive care, let's do some positive vaccinations to prevent illnesses."
A team of four veterinarians are handling operations at the shelter while the city investigates the euthanizations.
"I think we're on the right track to recovery," the mayor said.
Ockomon says running the shelter demanded a lot from Russell.
"I believe that this job became too much for him in a management position and I feel that he will probably be detailed to a position of lesser responsibility," Ockomon said. "It wouldn't be a department head job but it would be more of a labor type position."
Eyewitness News tried to contact Russell for comment, but he didn't return phone calls.
The future of the Anderson Animal Shelter will be discussed in a public meeting on April 9 from 6-8 p.m. in [ame=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=120+East+8th+Street,+Anderson+Indiana&sll=39.87098,-86.04126&sspn=0.009338,0.017209&ie=UTF8&ll=40.109309,-85.677931&spn=0.009305,0.017209&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=40.108621,-85.678184]Room 201 of the Anderson City Building[/ame].
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?s=8085953
Euthanizations lead to shake-up at animal shelter
Anderson mayor Kris Ockomon
Cat Andersen/Eyewitness News
Anderson - There's been a shake-up in management at an animal shelter after dozens of dogs were put to sleep without explanation.
Speaking for those who can't speak for themselves, Anderson animal lovers went to their mayor to find out why the city's animal shelter euthanized 28 dogs on Wednesday without explanation.
"The thing that tipped the scale is that we had one animal in particular that was proposed to be adopted soon and that animal was put down. We don't know the reason," Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon said.
Ockomon also says that the shelter's senior humane officer Larry Russell didn't give a reason for why the dogs were euthanized.
"I think Larry's heart was in the right place," Ockoman said. "He was trying to do the right things, but if it's determined that they were wrongly put down, then yes, disciplinary action would take place."
Russell and another employee were removed from the shelter the next day and placed on paid administrative leave. Ockomon says he plans to meet with Russell on Monday to decide his future and if any disciplinary action would be taken. The city is now considering privatizing the shelter.
"I've seen a real uplift in operation in the last 12 hours," said shelter volunteer Mike Kase. "Claudia has brought a spirit of number one, the animals come first. Let's do some positive care, let's do some positive vaccinations to prevent illnesses."
A team of four veterinarians are handling operations at the shelter while the city investigates the euthanizations.
"I think we're on the right track to recovery," the mayor said.
Ockomon says running the shelter demanded a lot from Russell.
"I believe that this job became too much for him in a management position and I feel that he will probably be detailed to a position of lesser responsibility," Ockomon said. "It wouldn't be a department head job but it would be more of a labor type position."
Eyewitness News tried to contact Russell for comment, but he didn't return phone calls.
The future of the Anderson Animal Shelter will be discussed in a public meeting on April 9 from 6-8 p.m. in [ame=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=120+East+8th+Street,+Anderson+Indiana&sll=39.87098,-86.04126&sspn=0.009338,0.017209&ie=UTF8&ll=40.109309,-85.677931&spn=0.009305,0.017209&t=h&z=16&iwloc=addr&layer=c&cbll=40.108621,-85.678184]Room 201 of the Anderson City Building[/ame].
