I've known this for years. I actually (my
attorney) got into the records of Riverside County, CA and were able to prove that they
did these things for those very reasons. They would adopt SPOT for $48, but if the
dog didn't get adopted, the taxpayers were charged $109 to kill it. That is why they
avoid working during hours that are accessible to the public, why they never try to drum
up more adoptees, why they are always so vague when asked about their numbers and
business plans.
They do everything possible to hassle good,
caring and responsible rescuers with laws and fees and fines. But who ever wishes to
have a litter or two are simply allowed to continue without any rules, restrictions or
even reading materials.
They were even able to get around the mandatory
spay and neuter laws in place in several states by offering 'certificates'' for the
people to do it themselves, knowing full well that the majority would never take the time
or make the effort.
We also must keep in mind that they are treated like crap by
everyone in the community INCLUDING THEIR BOSSES which is usually the county board of
supervisors. They are underpaid, overworked and frequently hire people right out of
jail, or off the street with no education and are expected to handle the incredible
numbers of animals that irresponsible humans relinquish into their care.
Now, here we are four and a half years later and they
finally got a grand jury to investigate the operation and staff in Riverside, CA. and
recently came up with 28 felony charges on how they ran and misappropriated funds and lied
to the county council. So, the public was outraged and spoke their minds for a
couple weeks until the county announced plans for a bigger and newer facility to be built
for $75 million within the next 5years. NO MENTION AT ALL OF ANY HUMANE EDUCATION to
be implemented. When questioned about the humane education, the response was, that
it costs too much. But it only took them 4 weeks to come up with $75 million to
build a new dog pound.
Now I live in Northern Arizona and the animal control up in
Las VEgas is asking for an additional $60 million in next contract negotiations per year.
They have no humane education anywhere in the proposal at all. When
questioned they replied on their hind legs 'We were at a school for the retarded for three
whole days last year - don't tell us we have no humane education program!! I
was afraid to ask about the other 750,000 students in the Vegas School System who did NOT
have a visit from them last year.
The local animal control agency in Kingman is still running
on a card system. No computers what so ever. I found someone to donate a decent
computer and another to donate two years worth of dialup service - all the animal control
had to do was to call and verify it was for them. Over the first year,I had to
remind them to simply make that call therefor four times. Now, three years later,
still nothing has been done. hey all have Internet at home and are familiar with
computers. Something is very fishy.