In Corpus Christi, TX, a married couple had been working as the city pound’s veterinarians for the last 4 years. They complained to those in charge about unacceptable conditions including lack of worker supervision in the kennels and animals sitting in filth:
“There was no water in any of the water bowls they weren’t just empty they were dry. The dogs were not fed consistently they’d feed them clean their cages put the food bowls on top of the cage where the dog couldn’t get to them,” says Dr. Tom House.
The problems were ongoing so the vets kept complaining. Earlier this month they requested a meeting with Assistant Police Chief Mark Schauer, who is in charge of the pound, to discuss these issues. The next day, they were fired. The city explained they are “going in a different direction”.
I believe that direction is commonly called DOWN.
(Thanks Clarice for the link to this story.)
I’m trying to think…is there any other industry besides animal shelters where it’s easier to get rid of the complainers than actually to fix the source of the complaints?
Ive wondered the same thing.
So sad.
How about going to the State level or higher. There has to be someone with compassion towards homeless animals.
Take it higher,there MUST BE some credibility,you would think, in an organization running the shelter-maybe the taxpayers should have the final say! Their contract. Should be terminated immediately+new bids taken! 0 accountability means just that-theyre good for nothing!
No good deed goes unpunished
Hopefully light will be shed on this publicly. Oh wait, that’s happened at MAS and it doesn’t make any difference. Silly me! Meanwhile, the animals suffer. Hopefully these vets will take their concerns further, especially if they have documentation.
Gee, that isn’t an illegal termination…
sounds like another MAS
“Going in a different direction” gave me the chills. I applied for a job at a shelter that was supposed to be no kill. They told me that. And now all references to no kill are gone.
MY 3 MONTH OLD PUPPY ACCIDENTLY HAD GOT OUT OF MY YARD AND SOMEONE TOOK HIM TO ANIMAL CONTROL THINKING IT WAS THE RIGHT THING. I REGISTERED WITH LOST PET HOTLINES AND PET HARBOR LINKED THEM TO THE FACILITY, SUPPOSEDLY UPDATED DAILY-EVERY DAY AN EMAIL NO LEADS. 6 DAYS LATER WE FIND HIM AND GO TO PICK HIM UP.THIS THIS WAS THE SAME WEEK THEY FIRED THESE VETS. THE LITTLE BABY HAD HIS SKIN HANGING FROM HIM FROM BEING STARVED. HIS BODY WAS COVERED WITH SOLID ANTS BITES,HE HAD A TAPEWORM. THE HAD RAGING STAPH INFECTION IN BOTH EARS. A SKIN FUNGUS AND VIRUS INFECTION. ALL FROM BEING IN UNSANITARY CONDITIONS.TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AND $500 IN VET BILLS WE HAD TO PUT HIM DOWN THIS MORNING. HE NEVER RECOVERED. FROM THE DAY WE BROUGHT HIM HOME ALL HE DID WAS SUFFER.THIS WAS A HEALTHY HAPPY PUPPY THAT ENDED UP ONLY PUTTING HIS HEAD UNDER PILLOWS FROM MISERY. WHAT GIVES THOSE PEOPLE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT TO ANY ANIMAL. MY BABY HAD THE RIGHT TO BE ABLE TO GROW UP AND THEY TOOK ALL THAT AWAY BECAUSE OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE AND THEIR IRRESPONSIBILITY.
I AM VERY INTERESTED IN KNOWING HOW MANY OTHERS SHARE THE SAME KIND OF STORIES.
I’m so sorry to hear about your puppy. No animal should have to endure that kind of treatment.
I hope you will contact the people in power to share your story. Perhaps contact the vets referred to in the article. Please do not let this drop. There are many other animals who might be helped if things can be changed.
I too was very sad to read this terrible story. Do you have photos, shelter records and vet records for your pup? Please feel welcome to contact me at eiderdown@yesbiscuit.com and I will try to help.
I am so sorry for your loss. I’m guessing, judging from how many animals end up in the back of the truck heading to the landfill everyday..there are thousands of similar stories.. It’s is shameful!