Two Broward County animal shelters under scrutiny

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Facebook page “A Promise to Layla” has been very vocal regarding the recent “goings on” at the Humane Society of Broward County.  A post in June 2017 stated the Humane Society of Broward County kills more dogs as “owner requested euthanasia” than the number of dogs surrendered by their owners. According to statistics uncovered by A Promise to Layla, over 4,000 cats and dogs have been killed at the Humane Society of Broward County from Aug 2016 through July 2017. Nearly 100,000 cats and dogs have been killed under current leadership. Yet, in direct contradiction to the mass killings, Broward County Humane Society imported 1,942 dogs from outside Florida to the shelter.

A debate has been scheduled to dispute the “owner request killings” as well as other concerns regarding the shelter operation.  It will be held on October 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Florida Atlantic University in the Liberal Arts Auditorium, 3200 College Avenue, Davie, Florida 33314.

The debate will also feature special guest speaker Phil Peckinpaugh, Director of the Muncie Animal Care Services in Muncie, Indiana. He has successfully transformed his shelter from a 50% live release rate to 95% for dogs and 97% cats.  This is phenomenal and proves it can be done if the will, motivation and caring for the animals is there.

For more information on the debate or to RSVP please visit the website

petition has also been launched requesting the immediate resignation of CEO Christopher Agostino of the Humane Society of Broward County, and a suitable replacement be hired.

Broward County’s municipal shelter has been under scrutiny in recent weeks as well.

On November 15, 2016, Broward County Animal Care and Adoption opened a brand new 40,000 square foot shelter with space to house 500 cats and dogs. According to then Executive Director Thomas Adair, this was the first step in achieving the long-term goal of becoming a no-kill shelter. But things have gone awry since the $16.5 million facility opened. Allegations of inhumane conditions, wrongful killings of healthy shelter animals and altering of records have caused Executive Director Thomas Adair to resign his position.

According to a story in the Sun Sentinel on October 22, the kennel drain grates in the dog kennels are ripping off their nails leaving them bleeding and in pain. No one knows exactly how many dogs were hurt because the injuries are not tracked. However, information obtained through public records, indicate this problem goes back to the shelter opening, yet nothing had been done to correct it.

Shelter spokesperson Lisa Mendheim stated the problem was fixed months ago, however a recent visit to the facility has confirmed the dangerous grates are still in place, and Mendheim’s supervisors gave contradictory information saying the grates have not been replaced. However, an even greater injustice has been inflicted upon the animals of Broward County; the killing of healthy pets under the guise of “owner request” and altering the records to reflect this.

According to a September 25,  WPLG-channel 10 news report, Broward Animal Care Executive Director Thomas Adair resigned his position. The resignation came after allegations that he and other county employees changed dog and cat death records to appear as if the owners wanted their pets euthanized when they really wanted them to be adopted out. However, Channel 10 News uncovered evidence that Adair was going into the county computer system altering the reason for killing the dogs and cats from health issues or aggressiveness to “owner requested.”

Animals put down at the owner’s request are not included in the euthanasia totals, so altering the records would promote the county’s much publicized promise of becoming a no-kill shelter.

One of the strongest pieces of evidence against Adair shows that whenever public records requests were received, Adair would go back into the county’s computer system and change the records for a second time; from owner request to the original reason given. Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief confirmed an active investigation into the animal death records for the past five years has already confirmed records were changed at the shelter although no motive has been determined.

It is truly a tragedy and a huge miscarriage of justice when animals go to what should be a safe haven for them, and they are killed under false pretense to skew statistics and make those in charge look good.

It is time to replace highly paid shelter supervisors, managers, and CEO’s with people who actually care about the welfare of animals in their care. .

“Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.”

                                   -Albert Schweitzer

 

 


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8 COMMENTS

  1. How sad this CEO Adair would stoop so low and kill innocents. Millions on new shelter. Not much care, only death for the innocents because all intentions are for big salary–$230,000.

  2. well, whats being done about these pukes and
    the next bunch of idiots who think they can get away with this.
    If you make them pay for it
    they will think twice before trying this

  3. There is nothing worse than shelters that are supposed to be helping animals doing something like this. They all need to be fired and arrested, they are nothing more than murderers and don’t need to be in charge of innocent lives.

  4. Who at the County is responsible for oversight at the Shelter? Is there no way for shelter elmployees to inform on problems anonymously? I fault both the operational managers and those responsible for oversight.

  5. Adair is and has been a shining example of an animal murderer – he does not belong anywhere near an animal and has proven his incompetence, cruelty, lack of leadership and piss poor example of a human being – he killed animals because he could, to cover his lack of professionalism, his lack of compassion, lack of care, and only cared about his six figure salary at the expense of innocent dogs and cats. He is a frigging disgrace to all caring shelters – this hell hole is nothing more than a death row – FIRE HIS USELESS ASS.

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