Animal municipality services must cooperate
After receiving information for well over a decade about the ongoing business protocol that the Municipal Impound Animal Services of Multnomah County, Ore., incorporates, it is well overdue to discuss it in this forum.
There are countless stories about the discriminatory and unrealistic demands that this municipal agency, (supported by taxpayers' dollars), imposes on those without homes or money, whose animals were impounded with “boarding fees” that were more costly than most private boarding kennel facilities. Many questions linger about this egregious conduct.
When these confiscated animals could not be reclaimed by those financially unable to cough up these exorbitant fees, their animal companions were killed. Time and time again, there were many options to avoid this unnecessary catastrophe, including non-governmental shelters, foster homes, as well as directly engaging with caring and educated animal behaviorists who sought to intervene.
Gail O'Connell-Babcock is one of these unyielding animal rescue workers. Through persistence and dedication, she has continued her vigilance and volunteer service to the minority and unhoused community, informing them about their responsibility as pet owners and their rights when their animals are seized by this agency.
Not surprisingly, many of these dogs condemned to death as having behavior problems were reportedly executed on holidays, yet seldom there was a volunteer animal behaviorist permitted to independently evaluate the animal.
It appears that the management feels threatened by those who have the background, knowledge and experience in animal behavior and rescue.
I called this agency on several occasions to discuss these troubling, recurring incidents but much to my chagrin, the response to my questions about their policies could only be responded by the manager who commonly had just left the building.
The last time I phoned this agency, my call was transferred to the custodian/utility room.
Currently, most decent municipal facilities where dogs are housed as strays or surrendered by owners are kept alive for a minimum of three days. Yet we often have heard of dogs kept for years to finally be adopted to a permanent home, thanks to those determined and unrelenting workers in these facilities who are educated about animal behavior, nutrition and understand how a toxic environment and sordid background can impact the abandoned animal.
Many volunteers have offered their time and service, willing to forgo any legal repercussions or responsibility against the county in lieu of animal rescue.
These are valuable municipal facilities that not only are willing to work in partnership with animal rescue individuals and rescue groups but also genuinely enjoy saving the lives of animals.
For no fault of their own, many dogs end up abandoned by those who love to see a litter of puppies for self-gratification but do not have the time, money or expertise to care for them.
Often, before ending up at the pound, these puppies are sold or given away, soon to be passed around by those who lack empathy and the commitment to truly care for their new animal companion. They are treated as more of an object or possession, than a living, breathing being.
Remember — spaying and neutering your animal companions will help curtail the suffering!
As for the Multnomah County Animal Services, they do not appear to be seeking a shared partnership with others determined in saving animal lives. To the contrary, as time goes by, more animals are being put to death. Their lack of transparency regarding their governing policies and regulations generates further questions.
Individual accounts and documentation of animals continually disposed of by this agency are appalling.
The cost of a surrendered dog by the owner with a request for the animal to be killed is a mere $50.
The cost from a private veterinarian is higher. It should be noted that the DVM will ask questions related to the animal's health, as it usually will have an impact on the animal's behavior, will question the environment where the animal is housed and if and how many children and adults reside in the home.
My long-standing experience with dogs is that they do not like or thrive in chaotic environments.
I have known in some cases that the veterinarian, even before considering euthanizing the animal, will attempt to rehome the animal whenever possible.
Although in most cases, the animal will be put to death for a fee, with no consideration of fostering, adoption or rehoming.
Those seeking a cheap bill to dispose of their animal, with few questions asked, will go to a municipal agency, again supported by the taxpayer.
Now, back to the Multnomah County Animal Services in Oregon.
In January, this municipal agency adopted out an American/English bulldog named Tank.
A few months later, this agency was called to the home of the adopted dog to be surrendered by the screaming owner. Screaming only exasperates fear. So Tank fled to escape the loud and upsetting commotion imposed on him.
In reading the report from the animal control officer, this was the home you never want a dog to live in. Once removed from this harsh environment, Tank was calm and relaxed.
I have not seen one report investigating why this dog had showed signs of aggression, with no animal behaviorist in sight.
In April, shortly after Tank was surrendered, he was put to death.