Animal deaths

Many thanks to the ReviewJournal editors who allocated front-page space to the story of the animal deaths at the Boulder City animal shelter (“Manager suspected, but arrest quashed,” Dec. 2 Review-Journal).

From that story, the public learned that a criminal investigation into the shelter’s high euthanasia rate —which occurred under the direction of former animal control supervisor Mary Jo Frazier —did not culminate in criminal charges against Ms. Frazier. Instead, Boulder City Police Chief Bill Conger decided that since Ms. Frazier is now retired from her position at the shelter and that “people get in trouble and resign all the time,” he felt it was a “moot point” to seek charges against her. Thanks to your story, public awareness and public involvement caused the chief’s initial decision to be overturned, and charges against Ms. Frazier are now under evaluation by the district attorney’s office (“Boulder City reverses course,” Friday Review-Journal).

I am deeply puzzled that the decision to not pursue charges against Ms. Frazier was left up to the police chief. I am more puzzled that he would ignore the recommendation of a seasoned Boulder City police detective who investigated allegations against Ms. Frazier and recommended felony and gross misdemeanor charges be brought against her. Retirement is not a haven to escape criminal charges. Ms. Frazier should answer the serious charges levied against her. And perhaps Mr. Conger may wish to contemplate his own retirement. Lynn Clayton Las Vegas