Meeting in the basement of the Wicomico County Library, the Wicomico County Council moved swiftly through Tuesday evening’s agenda … until council comments. It seems that citizens aren’t too happy with recent events at the Wicomico County Human Society.
Councilman Bob Culver (R-At Large) started off the council comments portion of the meeting by noting that he had received multiple calls and email from constituents and from individuals in other states regarding the recent putting down of a dog at the Humane Society. The animal had been found chained to a fence and was taken to the Humane Society by Animal Control. Despite two rescue groups offering to take the animal in, the Humane Society euthanized the animal.
Councilwoman Gail Bartkovich (R-3) noted she too had received communication about this from constituents. She offered to schedule a future work session with the Humane Society Director and their board to discuss this and other matters of concern regarding the Humane Society. Bartkovich also mentioned some concern by citizens that there was no city or county council representation on the board despite the two governments funding of the organization.
Councilman Joe Holloway explained that four years ago the County Executive and members of the council attempted too work some matters out with the Humane Society. They were basically told that the Humane Society had no obligation to take any direction from the county.
Councilwoman Sheree Sample-Hughes argued that this is one reason why the county should consider spreading the Humane Society’s annual appropriation out over time.
In addition to funding the Humane Society, the county also owns the building where they are housed. The county leases the property to the Humane Society for $1 per year.
22 comments:
The fact that these clowns get money from the county is the reason they should have accountability to the county. Make their building lease more realistic, pull their funding...and see how quickly they show up with some accountability....ore we save the taxpayers money!
Who is responsible for Who???? If that dog was put down for no logical reason given by a Vet----someone has got to answer for that!! I'd sure want to see the papers --- if they say he was!
People should be outraged if this happened with Rescue Groups offering to take him.
There needs to be further direction & accountability there!
"It seems that citizens aren’t too happy with recent events at the Wicomico County Human Society."
Perhaps if citizens were so concerned they would address the root of the problem with animals in our county. The problem starts with the neglect by the "owners" of the animals in our area, and our inability to hold them responsible for their actions.
I don't know the policies or guidlines that the HS uses to decide what animal has to be euthanized, but I don't see them just doing it for sh!ts and giggles. Was the dog sick, or not adoptable? Rescue groups are wonderful, and do a lot of good, but they to have their faults. Were these rescue groups legit? There has to be much more to this story that the press is releasing.
I also encourage all that are so concerned to step up and volunteer at the HS. I encourage you to adopt unwanted animals instead of paying big bucks for your pedigrees. It is real easy for someone to complain, but harder to take action.
We any solutions put up for a vote? Was anything accomplished at this meeting other rehashing an already acknowledged probelm? Did any of the council members agree to work with HS Board Members? Sounds like nothing but a complaint session. I get enough of that from Congress!
Simple solution - end funding, terminate the lease with cause, and set up a County organization under control of the Council ensuring that none of the current belligerents participate.
Please stop taking tax dollars and giving them to these dog killers. I know some folks can't handle their own pets but that's no excuse to tax us to fund these killers.
I tried to take a found dog to a humane society one time. (not around here) They took one look at him and said that he was too nervous, and they wouldn't be able to adopt him out because of the risk that he would bite someone.
If the WCHS put the dog down even after offers from people//rescue groups, there was probably something really wrong with it.
With that said, I do agree that if they receive funding from WiCo, they need to be accountable to the county council and the taxpayers.
They sound like the board of ed..they take the money and are NOT accountable to anyone??? I dont think so.
Who signs logos paycheck??
She needs to go..sooner than later.
STOP funding the "INHumane" Animal Society. STOP renting the building to them. There are plenty of caring animal lovers around Salisbury that are far better suited for the job and would get support from the public, unlike these jerks. They are a "Callous Group of People" hiding behind a "Caring Name" for monetary gain. No monetary support, equates callous people without jobs.
"Councilman Joe Holloway explained that four years ago the County Executive and members of the council attempted too work some matters out with the Humane Society. They were basically told that the Humane Society had no obligation to take any direction from the county."
I'm sorry? The Wicomico *COUNTY* Humane Society has no obligation to take direction from the county? Considering they own the building and fund the humane society, it seems ridiculous that they are given free reign to do whatever they want.
The Humane Society is supposed to have a ten day hold policy on all animals brought into the shelter. This dog didn't even get a week.
As for the rescues offering to save this poor puppy and their legitimacy, there is no way the Humane Society had even a chance to research this information prior to euthanizing the dog. I'm not saying they did it for S&Gs, but out of spite for everyone causing a ruckus? Probably.
The current staff of the Humane Society needs to be razed and a new staff and board should take over. A county funded organization should work with the county and the city, not fight against it at every turn. Constituents and thus tax payers should be able to take neglected animals to the shelter without fear they're immediately going to kill the animals they deem as "unadoptable" (which criteria changes depending on the mood of Lugo and Hudson).
I think we are going to be OK here. Last year Joe said that he was going to build a facility that would directly compete with the Humane Society and eventually make them obsolete. Mr. Harrison could you provide the readers with an update on the status of that facility?
Anon 1056 -
If you will look for a post at 1:05 PM I will be happy to give you an "update".
I've heard it all about this County now!!!! They give to the HS & they own the bldg. all from the tax payers money ----- and They Say they are not responsible!!! Well, they better start being so!! Giving someone that much Power with Taxpayer money is Crazy!!
You know what will happen----same as always-----they let it blow over ----do nothing till the next incident arises.
The people of the County/City need to keep on this day in---day out untill they get sensible answers as to Who is Responsible for What!!! This is Insane!!! The entire place needs an "overhaul" & has for many yrs.!!
The Humane Society keeps taking more and more money from the county and the city, and do less and less every year even though they keep getting more money. Get rid of the humane society and open a county run shelter in its place.
Did anyone ask why they created a new director's position?
Question for everyone. If the dog was is need of medical attention. Why would salisbury city animal control take the dog to a place that doesn't have a Vet?
I find it funny that the very people that constantly complain about government being too big, and want low taxes, want another layer of government that will cost more in taxes. Or should we just cut the schools some more to pay for it?
The Humane society brags about having a vet on staff, THATS way
People really think we will make out better with having the county handle animal control. Instead of having volunteers that handle various duties, the tax payers can pay for every aspect of the animals care. Maybe they can spin straw into gold while they're at it.
In regard to the North Carolina rescue Noah's Ark that was so outraged on WMDT, does your state really let a dog transfer in to a rescue while under rabies quarantine? I sure hope MD doesn't allow dogs to be transferred into our state while under quarantine for anyone other than pet owners. Allowing rescues to place volunteers and other citizens and their animals in danger would be irresponsible. I sure hope state officials keep an eye on this animal craziness.
Thousands of dogs die every day, but these groups just want to take the horror story poster children, so they can put money in their pockets in many cases. So it's more humane to keep an animal suffering alive and let a perfectly healthy animal die. Sounds like EXPLOITATION to me.
Someone, who apparently is wearing their tin-foilo hat too tight...whines that they hope about Noah's Ark and their kind offer. This clueless person must not understand several basics. Noah's Ark is a reputablew group. They could not and would not take the dog until the hold period was over. 2. NO reputable rescue group is making money. 3. Wanting to rescue an animal is not EXPLOITATION..it is showing care and an act of love. Sounds like poster Anonymous 7/12 9:21 AM is clueless about this too.
I just realized that part of what I wanted to say was left out when I edited my comments. I meant to say that NO reasonable person would have any concern about a dog being transferred before the end of the hold period. The dog is HELD for this period. What part of HOLD do they not understand?
And oh yeah, taking in a dog that would need medical care, vetting, feeding and care until a home can be found...sounds like a real money maker to me. I would LOVE to hear the rationale behind this persons "reasoning".
This comment is from Noah's Arks Rescue.
We are in SC, not in NC and we help abuse cases all over the South and beyond. When we make arrangements with a Shelter to help an animal, we expect the shelter to be HONEST with the information they give us. We take their word for it they are going to do what they say. We wanted to get Ellie Mae out ASAP so she could be treated immediately because her medical condition would deteriorate in the shelter not being treated. We stepped up to save her, not to let her die at the hands of people that lied to us. We were told she had a 10 day stray hold and could not be released until that was up. We were also told her medical condition was not critical and that she was getting medical care and would be fine during that time. We had never dealt with this Shelter before and had no reason to not believe them. When we found out what had happened to this sweet pup, we were SHOCKED and OUTRAGED. We DO NOT believe this dog had rabies and if she did we would have gotten her medical care close by where the shelter is. All we cared about was saving her life and were willing to sign ANY waiver and take FULL responsibility for anything that happened while in our care. The system is BROKEN in a facility where the FOCUS is not on saving a life. By us taking her when we called, a spot would have been freed up to save another dog. That would have been two dogs saved. Instead, she was euthanized. If you feel this was right, then you have the right people in place. If you feel this is wrong, then it is up to you to stand up and make your voice heard. Animals matter and they have NO ONE but us to fight for their right to LIFE. Please, do your part and don't let more animals die. Find out what is wrong and get to the bottom of it. The animals in your county depend on your voice to speak for them.
Jennifer Smith, President
Noah's Arks Rescue
www.Noahs-Arks.net
Post a Comment