SPCA threatens suit against pound
By KAY SEDGMER, Times Leader Staff WriterCADIZ - Harrison County leaders are facing a possible lawsuit after the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) issued a final demand in an ongoing dispute over the county's dog pound.
In a letter dated March 2, the Ohio SPCA claims it has received documentation of filthy conditions, improper housing of dogs and inhumane euthanasia at the facility which is operated through the county.
However, local leaders deny those accusations saying any lawsuit would be unfounded.
"This is an ongoing issue that is festering again," Commissioner Barbara Pincola stated in an email correspondence Thursday morning. "The Harrison County Dog Pound is a dog pound and not a shelter."
"We believe we are in compliance with the laws concerning the pound," added commission Chairman Mike Vinka.
Both Pincola and Vinka said the pound is not in any violations, however, the Ohio SPCA is contending otherwise.
In an email, the Ohio SPCA made a variety of accusation against the county regarding the treatment of dogs at the county operated dog pound. The correspondence indicated the county has euthanized dogs by intraperitoneal injection into the abdominal cavity, resulting in prolonged suffering before death. The group also said that on at least two occasions, bodies of euthanized dogs were observed moving after being placed into trash bags.
The accusations go on to say kennels and dog bowls are not properly cleaned, leading to Parvo outbreaks, while new dogs are placed in kennels with waste remaining from previous dogs. The group also believes dogs have suffered frostbite on their paws after their pads adhered to a urine-soaked cement floor.
In the letter, the Ohio SCPA is demanding the following:
- All euthanasia of animals is to be stopped unless performed by a qualified veterinarian, using only euthanasia by injection ("EBI"). Under present conditions, there does not appear to be anyone qualified to perform euthanasia at the Pound;
- The "gas box" must be dismantled and the pieces discarded. "Gas box" euthanasia is a direct violation of Ohio Revised Code section 959.06 because it does not render the animal(s) unconscious and subsequently dead "immediately and painlessly";
- Full compliance with the Nov. 7, 2008, Public Record Request is to be made within 15 days of the date of the letter;
- All animals accepted or received by the Dog Warden or Dog Pound are to be individually documented and "tracked" from initial contact throughout the Pound's possession of the animals, regardless of whether the animals are ultimately redeemed, rescued or destroyed, and such documentation is to be provided in addition to all other matters covered by the 2008 Public Record Request;
- The Pound is to be cleaned and disinfected daily, and documentation of this activity is to be provided in addition to all other matters covered by the Public Record Request;
- Animals in the Pound are to be kept in kennels that otherwise comply with the requirements of section of the Ohio revised Code, specifically including but not limited to being housed without overcrowding which we construe as no more than two animals per kennel or cage. Again, documentation of this activity is to be provided in addition to all other matters covered by the request for public records ruling.
There are numerous other concerns regarding the Harrison County Pound in addition to those listed above according to the emailed letter, including lack of sufficient staffing, an inadequate facility, a limited number of pens and no vaccination labels or documentation as to when animals are vaccinated. The correspondence also cited unsanitary storage of food, lack of sufficient bedding for the dogs, inadequate and incorrect registration forms.
Prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey has reviewed the information provided by the Ohio SPCA and said the county would comply with their records request. However, he said he believes there is confusion in the definition of a dog pound as opposed to that of an animal shelter.
"In Ohio, by statute, a dog pound is to function to control the dog population," he said. "A dog or animal shelter is a different situation. I am troubled when I see people who are more concerned with providing for abandoned dogs than they are for abandoned children."
Many local residents have been working to support the dog pound in a variety of ways.
Most recently, in an attempt to find homes for unwanted or stray canines, volunteers have joined together and are now featuring available dogs on Facebook, a social networking website.
According to those volunteers, the response to the site has been amazing and many dogs have been saved with several even going to out-of-state rescue groups.
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com
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iceman
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03-12-10 8:43 PM
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Monroe county really needs help. The commissioners suck. Thy give the dog pound no help.
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BlackRider
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03-12-10 6:38 PM
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I bet if a prisoner in one of the local jails complained of anything remotely close to these conditions the dogs were put in, people would be raising heck about it. I think they should put the prisoners in the pounds and give the pups the new jails that our tax money built. After all, the dogs did nothing wrong but the prisoners sure did. Much rather see my tax money feeding the hungry dogs over the scum that repeatedly frequents our injustice system. Maybe a few botched euthanasations on a few prisoners would make the rest of the population straighten up and fly right.
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BlackRider
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03-12-10 6:37 PM
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Prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey said: "In Ohio, by statute, a dog pound is to function to control the dog population," he said. "A dog or animal shelter is a different situation. I am troubled when I see people who are more concerned with providing for abandoned dogs than they are for abandoned children." Right, when is the last time an abandoned child was forced by a state run organization to die by inhumane euthanasia. This guy tries to equate the problem to what they are legally bound to do. Rather than being a descent human being who should care about gods living creatures and see to it that they are treated with care. They feel pain and emotion too. I forgot though, snakes like Hervey are a different breed that only care about themselves. Helping these innocent dogs would get him no higher on the ladder of success so why bother.
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cory1978
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03-12-10 2:19 PM
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No wonder so many people in Harrison county get arrested for animal cruelty...what a shame!
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TONYDOG
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03-12-10 11:15 AM
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Im glad that someone is finally trying to do something. Those poor dogs dont bother anyone.I think firing the whole bunch would be a good idea also, plus paying a hefty fine.
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