How Can Portlanders Continue to Tolerate Animal Cruelty By Their POUNDS?

On Sun, Mar 30, 2014 at 12:23 PM, gocbwatchdog@aol.com <gocbwatchdog@aol.com> wrote:

I have to write a coherent essay if I can today. I can't sleep and I can't find the language to express how shocking MCAS behavior in this incident has been, all of it was.

 

I have written before about Carla  Couperthwaite and her two dogs impounded at MCAS  (Multnomah County Animal Services Portland Oregon) since mid January taken on alleged neglect charges.

 But Carla who is a senior citizen living on $700 a month is poor and fell into a hard financial spot. She did the best she could and Jack really had only minor concerns: flea dermatitis and a mild ear infection The veterinarian estimated his age as 8. He is 12. Vincent at 14 had a severe ear infection that had not responded to treatment Carla could provide. No one told her of PAW Team.

 

She takes very good care of her dogs, I have known her a long time. They come before her needs.The neglect, such as there was for Vincent, was secondary to her increasing  poverty worse lately so she now qualifies for PAW Team. Jack is a Golden rottie; Vincent  is a rottie. It was wholly fixable without taking her dogs to prison and a hearing..  

 

Carla has been visiting Jack at MCAS since his impoundment in January ( Vincent was placed in foster care where she cannot see him) every day permitted. She was  going out to MCAS by bus and walking the rest of the way: allowed  only the restricted time any visitor is allowed, 15 minutes inside the kennel while monitored by a staff person.

Carla and her dogs are very bonded. When she had to leave, Jack would cry and try to follow her.  They did not allow her to walk him: no staff available was the excuse; hundreds of small humiliations but she went anyway.

Carla noted his depression to staff and concerns about his well being. They just put a sheet over his kennel to stop his barking at passer bys. He wanted to get out  .But not even exercise is allowed.So just stop him from seeing: make his world even smaller.

 

Last Wednesday  Jack collapsed in the kennel . MCAS took him to VCA NW for diagnostics. At first they forbade her information about him. That was reversed by legal intervention.

 

On Thursday I drove her out to see him at NW.. The diagnosis  concerned  some unidentified problem causing brain swelling and the prognosis was judged to be likely poor.

MCAS did not want to spend $1000 for an MRI given the likely  poor prognosis..The specialist said there was perhaps a 5% chance of something curable.

After spending  an hour with  him reluctantly Carla agreed to his euthanasia. For two months he had been kept in jail: no exercise, no outings to the park, no affection; just solitary confinement.  

I had driven Carla  out earlier to VCA to learn the findings and to be with him.. What a beautiful dog! His tail thumped  wildly when he saw her: a big headed Golden with curly fur and  Rottie markings and a huge smile when he saw her.

You could see the love between them and I saw no signs of severe neglect. He always slept on her bed when he was home .Her home is very tidy and well kept. The dogs slept in her bedroom with her. 

 

During the time she was with him at VCA Carla began to speak of suicide. Her dogs are her whole life. Her depression severe especially without them.  

 

I told her we would take Jack and arrange a private cremation at  Dignity Pets where she could spend all the rest of the time she needed to say good bye. Dignity Pets said they would stay open late, no after hours charge, given the circumstances. 

 

What happened next was unbelievable .

MCAS called and said a truck was on its way to claim Jack's body.

They wanted to take him from her even in death and they wanted a necropsy to exonerate themselves. Had they wanted to know what he had they should have conducted an MRI while he was alive and had a chance. 

So Jack's body was held hostage while Carla was so distraught  the staff at VCA and I were afraid  for her life, concerned if hospitalization should be considered .

 

It was 4 PM. I  called the Department of Community Services and  said no way. 

You are not doing  this.

Oswald told them when they called him to explain that it was so Carla could get a free cremation and learn what Jack had died from and wouldn't she like to know?.

But that was a disingenous lie. The lawyer told Reb they wanted a signed release from liability or they were keeping Jack's body.

So a negotiation occurred while we sat in the parking lot at VCA and the animal control truck was on its way ordered by Officer Michelle Luckey. MCAS said they would only release Jack's body to Carla if she agreed to sign away her rights to sue them over his death.

So Carla signed. It was the only way to get Jack back.

I said never mind we have Jack and it was signed  under duress. I know he died of a broken heart. I know he had only minor problems: a bit of flea dermatitis and a mild ear infection when he went into MCAS under their "prison" care,

It was stated in the record. Jack died of a condition they never noticed until it was too late caused or exacerbated by their neglect.

They never pay attention and hold dogs in appalling social isolation and no or minimal care.

That's it. No exercise, no happy talk, just pacing back and forth in an isolated cell day after day after day: a tidy maximum security prison camp where animals are regarded as disposable nuisances, pests and potential liabilities.

 

All they cared about when Jack died was how to hold onto his body to get out from under any potential liability lawsuit. If Carla died of grief and so did Jack, who cares. They only cared about skipping out.

 

I have no words to express how anguishing this has been; how Carla now can barely make it through each day, I call every night to make sure she is alive  and how sinful and evil they are.

The hearing has been postponed to April 8 but Jack is dead and Vincent kept away in foster care with a foster whose behavior, another subject, is hugely inappropriate and insensitive.

 

How can this ever be stopped?

This is life at MCAS behind closed doors, day after day, the gulag, the jack booted Nazis, the cold hearts, the hurt,  and the harm done, the lies told, the betrayal of trust, and no one who could do something about this, no one with power or authority, who sees or cares.

 

Gail

 

Hold Shelters Accountable

From: Scott Bartlett [mailto:wascobar@efn.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 8:34 AM
To: 'Beverly Trover'; board@green-hill.org; director@greenhill.org; 'carey.li'; 'boardpresident'; lchsac@co.lane.or.us; mayorcouncilandcitymanager@ci.eugene.or.us; Pat.FARR@co.lane.or.us; Pete.Sorenson@co.lane.or.us; Faye.Stewart@co.lane.or.us; Sid.Leiken@co.lane.or.us; Jay.Bozievich@co.lane.or.us
Cc: billlundun@bicoastalmedia.com; editor@eugeneweekly.com
Subject: RE: Greenhill Humane Society REFUSING to release VERY friendly, nice, Rottweiler to highly qualified Rottweiler Rescue -

If these accounts have validity and there are rescuers ready, willing and able to take on these dogs, then I am becoming increasingly disappointed with Greenhill and concerned that something seriously amiss is going on out there.

 Why is there this upsurge in euthanasia? And why has Greenhill eliminated the successful and considerate policy of LCAS to issue “Red Alerts” which indicated that unless adopters and rescuers were to step up, a euthanasia is imminent or increasingly likely? That “Red Alert” policy gave these rescue operations notice that they could rally to save these dogs. Now Greenhill says they do not wish to issue these because they will be bad for ‘public relations’? This is troubling.

I rarely weigh in and comment on these matters, but this is beginning to appear as if there is potential malfeasance and neglect. If that is the case, it is unacceptable.

NOTE:    Scott is part of the lchsac@co.lane.or.us list.  He sits on the Animal Services Advisory Committee for the County.  He is one of the two or three good guys on that committee. 

Shelters will keep moving the bar and not publish their criteria for Rescues, when one hurdle is met, another is presented, until finally they sadly say that no rescue could be found so better dead than rescued...

Eugene, Oregon Vigil at Animal POUND To Save Lives & Promote Awareness

No animals are safe in Greenhill's "care". 

Join us to Free Rhett and many other animals kept captive by Greenhill's arrogance and idiotic temperament testing.  We will be parking next to Office Depot in the spaces along Chad Drive, Eugene.   Saturday Feb 22nd, beginning at 11 am.

https://www.facebook.com/events/285163181635213/

Help make animal lovers aware that their contributions are used to kill dogs, not find them new homes!

Animal Lovers Guard your Resource$$$$$$$$

Shelters Use Absurd Dog/Cat Aggression Tests, Your Dog Would Also Fail!

TO ALL INVOLVED WITH GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY AND FIRST STREET SHELTER and those who should be monitoring what goes on at these shelters:

Sadly, this group, which is a non-profit (Greenhill Humane Society and First Street Shelter), but under contract to the cities of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon and Lane County, Oregon, is using absurd behavior testing and dooming a dog called Rhett, to possible euthanasia because he is deemed aggressive.  This apparently is not the first dog to be lethally labeled by such testing at this shelter.  

They throw a stuffed dog or cat toy to the dog and because he shakes it and pulls the stuffing out, he is labeled as dangerous and can only go to a rescue that has an IN-HOUSE animal behaviorist/trainer.  My dogs whips his toys back and forth in his mouth, pulls out the stuffing and he would not hurt a flea!  This is normal play.  Very few rescues have the financial resources to have a fulltime animal trainer or behaviorist on staff.

One of the best Rottweiler rescues in the country, Happy Tails Rottweiler rescue, out of Goldendale, Washington, has offered to take Rhett, but was eliminated for not having an in-house trainer (they have one on call) and for having "too many other dogs." (No evidence given that Rhett is dog aggressive or doesn't do well with other dogs.) 

When many of us who know and support Happy Tails for the excellent work they do called First Street/Greenhill animal shelter in support of this being a wonderful option for Rhett, the calls were deemed "harassment" and Happy Tails was eliminated as a possible resource to take Rhett.  Now the shelter refuses to answer questions, does not answer phone calls - but apparently has no other appropriate rescue for this dog. 

When I read this posting on Facebook, I see another nice dog named Otis, awaits the same fate!   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Rhett/1456320297918278   

The word is now out that Greenhill and First Street Shelter have a high kill rate but will not answer any questions or release information on the dogs they have and what becomes of them.

I urge you to look in to this matter.  Since Greenhill is under contract with the cities of Eugene, Springfield and Lane County, I would think their operations should be completely open to the public, since they are funded, via contract, by taxpayer dollars. 

Thank you.  It is time for animal shelters to live up to the concept of "shelter" and rehabilitation, not mislabel and kill.

Sincerely,

Beverly Trover

Portland, Oregon

FREE RHETT - Animal Lovers Please Guard Your Resource$$$$$$$$$ To Save Lives

https://www.facebook.com/notes/save-rhett/urgent-greenhill-in-humane-society-refus
ing-to-release-very-friendly-nice-rottwe/1456331357917172

Hello fellow animal lovers:

Sadly, this group, which is a non-profit (Greenhill Humane Society and First
Street Shelter), but under contract to the cities of Eugene and Springfield,
Oregon and Lane County, Oregon, is using absurd behavior testing and dooming this
dog, Rhett, to possible euthanasia because he is deemed aggressive.

This apparently is not the first dog to be lethally labeled by such testing. They
throw a stuffed dog or cat toy to the dog and because he shakes it and pulls the
stuffing out, he is labeled as dangerous and can only go to a rescue that has an
IN-HOUSE animal behaviorist/trainer. My dogs whips his toys back and forth in his
mouth, pulls out the stuffing and he would not hurt a flea!

One of the best Rottweiler rescues in the country, Happy Tails Rottweiler rescue,
has offered to take Rhett, but was eliminated for not having an in-house trainer
(they have one on call) and for having "too many other dogs." (No evidence given
that Rhett is dog aggressive or doesn't do well with other dogs.)

When many of us who know and support Happy Tails for the excellent work they do
called First Street/Greenhill animal shelter in support of this being a wonderful
option for Rhett, the calls were deemed "harassment" and Happy Tails was
eliminated as a possible resource to take Rhett. Now the shelter refuses to
answer questions, does not answer phone calls - but apparently has no other
appropriate rescue for this dog.

Here is info on Rhett: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Rhett/1456320297918278


Please voice your concern; email: board@green-hill.org ;
<director@greenhill.org>; carey.li <carey.li@greenhill.org>; boardpresident
<boardpresident@greenhill.org>

Call: First Avenue Shelter
3970 W. 1st Avenue
Eugene, Or 97402
(541) 844-1777

Thank you. It is time for animal shelters to live up to the concept of "shelter"
and rehabilitation.

~ Bev

Shame On Portland Oregon And Treatment of Animals

MOZART: UPDATE

Friday January 17, 2014

 

Multnomah County has so far made no public announcement about Mozart’s availability to rescue or if he will be permitted to go to the rescue that has requested him.  A citizen reports that when she contacted MCAS after being forwarded to the agency by the county commission that Mozart remained at MCAS because apparently the owner had not so far picked him up. 

 

That statement is categorically false. MCAS refused to release Mozart to Mr. Herbold who owned Mozart for 6 years.  On Monday, January 06, Attorney Robert Babcock filed a lawsuit charging MCAS and Director Michael Oswald with the tort of conversion: unlawfully holding the property of another. To date the county records pertaining to this case that were requested by Robert Babcock have not been provided.

 

There is a report that a staff meeting was held at MCAS on Monday, January 13 to decide Mozart’s fate. The shelter manager then left on vacation and will be gone until January 21.

I believe that the data being considered in the decision are

 

·         The animal care technician’s notes of Mozart in the shelter (MCAS has no behaviorist; the term used by the agency technician and MCAS is self ascribed; the individual who conducts and conducted this temperament test has a certificate for private dog training). The technician recommended euthanasia.

 

·         A review of the animal care technician’s notes and her own summaries by a behavior veterinarian who conducted no independent first hand interviews and never saw the dog.

 

·         The bite: The bite was reported to result in stitches to the hand. The individual went to work: the reason offered for the lack of pictures. There is apparently no photograph of the bite on file. When picture(s) were requested through public records MCAS reported they had none.

 

His status remains uncertain and all negotiations have been behind closed doors. We will start a petition if silence, lack of communication and uncertainty continue.

 

Wolf Rescue Letter To Portland Oregon

On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 3:36 PM, Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue, NV <pamelajowolflady@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Marissa Madrigal, Liesel Wendt, Loretta Smith, Judy Shiprack, and Diane McKeel,

 

Many of us in Rescue do not understand why MCAS refuses to take responsibility for being humane caretakers of their dogs and are not responding to calls or emails from recognized Rescues and behaviorists.

 

 Responsible Rescues and Sanctuaries have offered to take Mozart but they are being stonewalled. Mozart is being kept locked up with no exercise nor enrichment of any kind. He has become ill due to the poor care and lack of exercise and will only continue to deteriorate further both emotionally and physically. He does not understand why he has been abandoned to this horrible treatment. 

 

This is cruel and inhumane and the deed does not warrant the punishment. I feel that MCAS needs to be scrutinized carefully by their superiors and those in power about their methods and protocols.

 

I was surprised to see that you are all women, and am hoping that from a woman's standpoint you will show compassion and strength and act on Mozart's behalf. As a Canine Behaviorist I have worked with many dogs that have bitten only to rehabilitate them and find them safe sanctuary.

 

This is not brain surgery!

 

This boy needs to be transported to a secure Rescue or Sanctuary where he can be trained and rehabilitated. It is the human that that doesn't understand how canines think or behave that often condemns these animals to a lifetime of sadness, pain and terror - and often death. Please don't allow MCAS to condemn Mozart this way and do the right thing. I'm sure you would not allow this treatment if it was your own dog or cat.

 

Thanks you for your consideration and action!

 

Sincerely,

 

Pamela Jo - Executive Director

Lake Tahoe Wolf Rescue - NV

Phone (775) 833-2066

http://www.laketahoewolfrescue.com/

Until One Has Loved an Animal

A Part of One's Soul Remains Unawakened

Why Does Portland Oregon Allow Animal Control To Get Away With This?

This is the Facebook page from which this action alert is posted: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=194992030695088&id=140041316190160

 

 

UPDATE

January 10, 2014

 

 

Mozart continued incarceration at the MCAS facility is causing him severe emotional and psychological l distress.  If continued, this stress will begin to destroy his physical health as well. Every day he remains in the MCAS facility, his chances of recovery become diminished because of agency imposed conditions. The words "cruel and unusual" come to mind when describing his current situation. 

 

 

 

Weeks have gone by. Multnomah County Animal Services serving Portland and Multnomah County Oregon continues to delay, responding with silence or with a request for one more free evaluation, not even acknowledging long standing offers of rescue for Mozart  that meet every mark and every condition. 

 

Day after day Mozart, once a family dog, remains in solitary confinement without exercise, social interaction, or freedom, and his every behavior scrutinized and documented for evidence of stress. Animal control imposed stress generates harm and inevitably will generate deterioration.  MCAS has a long history of rejecting humane options. Animals are held hostage to their arbitrary authority.

 

On Monday afternoon, January 06, 2014, James Herbold’s attorney, Robert Babcock, filed a lawsuit charging MCAS and animal control director Michael Oswald with unlawfully holding the property of another.

 

Please contact the Multnomah County Commissioners asking that Mozart be freed. His life depends upon it.

 

Thank you for acting on behalf of compassion and the humanity we share with all animals.

 

 

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

gocbwatchdog@aol.com  

 

Help Save Gorgeous Portland Malamute

 

UPDATE

January 10, 2014

 

Weeks have gone by. Multnomah County Animal Services serving Portland and Multnomah County Oregon continues to delay, responding with silence or with a request for one more free evaluation, not even acknowledging offers of rescue for Mozart  that meet every mark and every condition.

 

On Monday afternoon, January 06, 2014, James Herbold’s attorney, Robert Babcock, filed a lawsuit charging MCAS and animal control director Michael Oswald with unlawfully holding the property of another.

 

Please contact the Multnomah County Commissioners asking that Mozart be freed. His life depends upon it.

 

Thank you for acting on behalf of compassion and the humanity we share with all animals.

 

 

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

gocbwatchdog@aol.com  

 

 

 

Please help prevent a needless death

Mozart the Alaskan Malamute

 

Mozart, a 6 year old beloved family Malamute who once had a wonderful life is now facing a death sentence.  His life has been documented on YouTube; he is trained, highly responsive and has many behavior skills including walking backward on command.  He once found rats in wood pile and played with them rather than attack. Despite two highly qualified  rescue offers both including qualified trainers; in one case a Northern Breed rescue and sanctuary,  Multnomah County Animal Services in Troutdale Oregon,  has stalled in any decision to release him to rescue, and  the kennel care technician working for MCAS who evaluated Mozart has recommended  euthanasia. No one else believes that is necessary.  The two rescues who have offered to take him continue to wait for a response.

 

 

The county’s indecision and delays in releasing Mozart to rescue cannot continue. Every concern has been met. Excellent options exist. When humane options exist it is unconscionable to kill an animal.  Mozart has been held at MCAS in stressful solitary confinement since November 29, 2013 deprived of exercise and socialization after he was released to be killed by an adopter who did not follow the adoption terms. 

 

The brief term adopters were repeatedly advised that Mozart was a wonderful dog but his stressors were food guarding and head patting. The advice was completely ignored. As a result Mozart bit the hand of one of the new owners after the second pat to his head. It required several stitches. Mozart’s life long owner has contested the county’s ownership of Mozart and wants humane options for Mozart. There has been no response.

 

Please help prevent this needless killing. Write the Multnomah County Commission and ask that Mozart be allowed to go to a rescue. 

 

Videos of Mozart:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH2MwRtgirA&list=UUE6P2OaBL1_WQifrPeLRBqA&noredirect=1

 

Contact information:

 

Multnomah County Chair: Marissa Madrigal

E-mail mult.chair@multco.us 

Telephone: 503.988.3308

      

Commissioner Liesel Wendt, District 1

E-mail district1@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5220

 

Commissioner Loretta Smith, District 2

E-mail district2@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5219

 

 Commissioner Judy Shiprack, District 3

E-mail district3@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5217

 

 Commissioner Diane McKeel, District 4

E-mail district4@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5213

Portland Oregon Homeless Continue To Be Bullied & Dogs Seized

To: Michael Oswald

      Kim Peoples
      Multnomah County Chair Marisa Madrigal  
CC: Legal Aide Officer Michelle Luckey
CC:Marc Jolin, JOIN
CC: Robert Babcock
CC: Others in the community
 
The question is : What is wrong with the current picture? 
 
 First, although I was the author of this letter of concern ( below), I was excluded as a recipient from Michelle Luckey's response. That illustrates a common dysfunctional leveraging agency practice: eliminating others views or opportunity to respond by deliberately shoving them out of the way when their point of view might differ. Permitting dialog. that might change minds and lead to change is stifled. Only one point of view is permitted: the status quo..

That must change.

 Two, the litany of David Jacobs minor infractions intended to label him as a scofflaw is part of a familiar pattern of focusing upon an individual until a dosier of complaints is built up then saying" That's it: I got you." and bringing the hammer down.

 Nowhere as incidents occur, (and owning dogs on the streets is indeed challenging), does MCAS engage anyone  they have cited in constructive interventions most likely to lead to change.. At most  homeless citizens are told to muzzle their dogs constantly except when eating or drinking or exercising or in cases of extreme heat, open to a range of subjective judgement. 

These recommendations are virtually impossible to follow and a restriction of constant muzzling is inhumane.Instead  more tickets are followed by unaffordable escalating fines followed by seizing the dogs of the homeless and the most frequent outcome, almost always, is killing their companion animals. I can provide those records. 

 Citizens, particularly the homeless, and often minorities, are targeted and it seems to become a mission "to get them".

 It took weeks and persistence to locate David Jacobs when all MCAS had to do was notify him ( and others in similar predicaments) that pro bono legal and training help are available. MCAS has persistently refused. to do so or cooperate  in any way despite our frequent requests. Instead they,offer as a false justification that then they would have to notify the homeless of all the attorneys and trainers in the county. 

That statement  is hugely misleading and patently false. The intransigent position of refusing notification  means homeless parties are denied help in an administrative hearing stacked against them. The motive to deprive them of fair play and justice is clear , MCAS has also consistently refused to accommodate the financial constraints of homelessness by lowering appeal fees ( $25 plus $100 impound fee).

 It is clear from the combination of those two practices that the county intends to deprive its poorest, most vulnerable, and least powerful citizens of due process rights because  they have no financial means.

 This is about unilateral power and the abuses of this power, beginning with not permitting a response.

The status quo: Citizens are targeted with escalating fines and punishments but punishment teaches nothing especially to those who are homeless. Other communities utilize mediation, owner education diversion programs, and seek solutions founded upon prevention and education. MCAS is modeled on escalating fines, punishment  and threats and unilateral control, an ineffective model leading to repeat offenses because nothing gets solved, meaning the model fails, and fails citizens because that is the only tool MCAS utilizes.

 Silencing constructive criticism and debate is just another form of bullying. For the sake of this community and its citizens, among them the most vulnerable, can we not have a constructive debate that goes beyond push back and silencing, from the status quo? That is how beneficial change happens.This community deserves that.
Sincerely,

Gail O'Connell- Babcock
503.625.4563

Please Help Prevent Needless Malamute Slaughter

Please help prevent a needless death

Mozart the Malamute

Mozart, a 6 year old beloved family Malamute who once had a wonderful life is now facing a death sentence.  His life has been documented on U Tube; he is trained, highly responsive and has many behavior skills including walking backward on command. 

He once found rats in wood pile and played with them rather than attack. Despite two highly qualified  rescue offers both including qualified trainers; in one case a Northern Breed rescue and sanctuary,  Multnomah County Animal Services in Troutdale Oregon,  has stalled in any decision to release him to rescue, and  the kennel care technician working for MCAS who evaluated Mozart has recommended  euthanasia. No one else believes that is necessary.  The two rescues who have offered to take him continue to wait for a response.

The county’s indecision and delays in releasing Mozart to rescue cannot continue. Every concern has been met. Excellent options exist. When humane options exist it is unconscionable to kill an animal.

Mozart has been held at MCAS in stressful solitary confinement since November 29, 2013 deprived of exercise and socialization after he was released to be killed by an adopter who did not follow the adoption terms. The brief term adopters were repeatedly advised that Mozart was a wonderful dog but his stressors were food guarding and head patting. 

The advice was completely ignored. As a result Mozart bit the hand of one of the new owners after the second pat to his head. It required several stitches. Mozart’s life long owner has contested the county’s ownership of Mozart and wants humane options for Mozart. There has been no response.

Please help prevent this needless killing. Write the Multnomah County Commission and ask that Mozart be allowed to go to a rescue.  

Contact information:

Multnomah County Chair: Marissa Madrigal

E-mail mult.chair@multco.us 

Telephone: 503.988.3308

      

Commissioner Liesel Wendt, District 1

E-mail district1@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5220

Commissioner Loretta Smith, District 2

E-mail district2@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5219

 Commissioner Judy Shiprack, District 3

E-mail district3@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5217

 Commissioner Diane McKeel, District 4

E-mail district4@multco.us

Telephone: 503.988.5213

Portland Shelter Animals Misevaluated

To: Michael Oswald 

      John Rowton

      Multnomah County Commission

CC: Kim Peoples

CC: David Blankfeld, County Counsel

CC: Robert Babcock, Attorney for James Herbold

Sirs:

Neither Mr. Rowton nor Mr. Oswald have responded to or acknowledged Mr Herbold's request for humane options for Mozart. Nor have they acknowledged our identified rehabilitation plans for Mozart after WAMAL's failed due diligence in its poor placement ( a 10 day thoughtless adoption) of Mozart.

Instead on page 18 of the current records ( attached)  we see WAMAL's efforts to bury their mistakes, efforts seconded by MCAS kennel care technician Stephanie Collingsworth's "evaluation" and MCAS management.

First, Ms, Collingsworth is not a behaviorist and is not qualifed to make the judgments she has made.

Secondly. WAMAL is contested as the owner and their behavior: conflicting reports, false and highly misleading statements and disingenousness would give any one pause.

I will address each of the misleading comments WAMAL provides for requesting and agreeing with euthanasia of a dog they hardly knew. Let me remind you that their evaluation of Mozart involved, according to Mr. Herbold, a 45 minute "viewing" of him from a distance ( as one might view a herd of wild elephants or water buffalo).

• " Bite to new owner who was an experienced Malamute owner with three previous Malamutes over the past years. New owners were in their 50's and 60's with no kids or other pets":.Owning three Malamutes over the years hardly qualifies one to own another Malamute. That is not the standard. Each dog is an individual. What WAMAL did not report was that the female owner was partially deaf  -- meaning she could not hear growls or perceive normal warning signs of animal discomfort. In the WAMAL ads ( I will forward them to you) , it clearly notes Mozart, like many malamutes and other similarly assertive breeds, does not like being patted on the head ( commonplace)  and is food protective ( correctable; not a death sentence).
•  
•  The new owners ignored all cautionary statements. The  bite incident occurred on the second pat to the head by the partially deaf female partner who ignored explicit cautions noted even in the adoption advertisement. One cannot cure failure to abide by instructions. It was her failing as an owner. The owner should be smarter than the dog. The owner was bitten on the hand on the second pat. Surprisingly there is no picture of the bite at all. Why not?

• "Assessment at the shelter by Luana who is a long time- volunteer for CAMEO who is the Oregon affiliate for WAMAl" How is that a qualification: friends of friends? No one with any credentials offers a :"shelter" evaluation by a rescue as a qualification.Luana has no credentials. Mozart has been confined to small space without exercise for a month now.No fair evaluation is possible.

•  " Assessment at the shelter by Stephanie Collingsworth, CPDT-KA Behavior and Training" Ms. Collinsworth is a kennel care technician. CPDT-KA is a certificate in dog training in private settings. It does not qualify one to conduct shelter assessments.

• "Case review by Christopher Pachel,DVM, DACVB, Animal Behavior Clinic, Animal Behavior Clinic 809 SE Powell Blvd, Porland, Oregon,97202." What records did Dr. Pachel review? Did he interview James Herbold, a normal expectation? Was he informed of a rehabilitation rescue plan? I have requested the report.

• "New conversations with James outlined below that says ( sic) had several previous human bites that were not disclosed ot WAMAL during our home assessment [the 45 minute vigil] or on his signed Owner Listing document."' Provide the documentation: quarantine notices, dates, persons, times.  Mr. Herbold vehemently denies the allegation.

WAMAL indicates" As you know, we have been contacted by other groups interested in Mozart..."  Indeed several qualified groups interested in helping Mozart have contacted WAMAL including one of WAMAL's own partners. WAMAL has not responded or, at best, responded dismissively as in the case of Thunder ridge Rescue, an MCAS  long term qualified rehabilitation rescue partner stating without ever speaking to the rescue director that Thunder ridge "didn't know malamutes" but then never called the rescue. Thunder ridge knows dogs, all breeds.

WAMAL will have to provide their  evidence of the reported "horrible conditions" at Songdog. That is a patently false statement that could easily be considered libelous and prosecutable  Songdog is a reputable  501(C)3 with multiple recommendations from shelters and rescues. Most dogs are in foster care. What sort of "evidence" does Ms. Bailey think having 67 dogs listed on Petfinders means?

 It certainly is not evidence that the dogs are overcrowded.  One documented incident several years ago involved a caretaker who was successfully criminally prosecuted by the rescue, the responsible action. Ms. Bailey is no research or fact finding expert. That is slander,easily construed as an aggressive efforr to interfere with and damage a rescue's work. When I asked for documentation Ms. Bailey provided none, an indictment of WAMAL.

This case will not be resolved behind MCAS's and WAMAL's closed doors. It is an appalling example of rescue malfeasance and government collusion .

Gail O'Connell-Babcock, PhD

Citizens for Humane Animal Legislation/Watchdog

Sherwood OR 97140

Telephone: 503.625.4563

Brief background

.Mozart's owner James Byrd Herbold of Byrd Guitars ( He has a guitar website;so does Kelly Herbold his ex wife, ceramics, sells Mozart tiles for $18 each)  was in an accident and became crippled and went on disablity. His life changed in a terrible way. He asked Washington Malamute Rescue League to help find Mozart a new home. They did a careless adoption and although the new owners were told not to pat him on the head, the partially deaf partner ignored the caution and the second time she did Mozart bit her hand. It was not a catastrophic bite; a few stitches, back to work that day. No picture of the bite . 

 

The 10 day owner signed Mozart over to be killed on November 29. Then he said it was up to WAMAL. WAMAL I don't think wanted him to leave alive .They knew but never contacted MCAS until we contacted them 2 days before the MCAS scheduled euthanasia date.We put together a rescue proposal; the long term owner Herbold wants a humane option: that he to go to rescue ; he does not want him to be killed, he loves his dog and feels betrayed by WAMAL. Mozart still remains in limbo. I have no idea where MCAS stands and what games or cards they are playing but ownership is legally disputed. 

 

Mozart is on U Tube too. Vibrant videos . Just google Mozart the malamute Kirkland WA and multiple videos come up.

 

WAMAL's adoption fee was $300. No screening (no home visit with this dog etc; WAMAL just came and stood 12 feet away and watched Mozart according to owner as the eval). That is an irresponsible rescue not an irresponsible dog. There was no due diligence.

 

Gail O'Connell- Babcock, PhD

Watchdog/Citizens for Humane Animal Legislation

Telephone 503.625.4563

Portland Or Continues To Allow Seizure of Animals Belonging to Homeless

To: Kim Peoples

     Marisa Madrigal, County Chair

     The Multnomah County Commission

     Portland City Council

 

CC: Michael Oswald

CC:  Robert Babcock

 

Regarding NOI 85103 to David Jacobs, homeless, failure to comply Level 2 for his Belgian Shepherd, Striker:

"Upon a guilty or default conviction the director shall suspend ownership of the dog Striker

 

Michael Oswald will not permit information about available pro bono legal help and other resources to be conveyed  by county employees to homeless parties. With no fixed address permitting correspondence and often no telephone, contact becomes extraordinarily difficult. Yet they are the citizens in greatest need. Previous directors did provide that information. Mr. Oswald's recent alleged interest in our pro bono legal services came as a surprise as our services are widely known especially at MCAS. It is why we get public records. Attorney Robert. Babcock represents citizens at MCAS hearings pro bono.  We have been providing  pro bono services from legal to training help to dog owners since 1995. Robert Babcock was recognized by the Oregon bar a few years ago for his pro bono work. Does that affirmation help?

 

The agency's alleged rationalization  for not providing the contact information for our services is that then MCAS would have to provide the names of  all trainers and attorneys throughout the local area. There is no possible thoughtful response to that false allegation.

 

David Jacobs who is homeless and notes sometimes he has mental health difficulties (making it hard for him) has called me on a cell phone belonging to another homeless person, a person who unfortunately conveys messages erratically. He asked for legal help dealing with his dog's impoundment, his frustrations with MCAS non-responsiveness and their unilateral seizure of Striker. The county has one position: theirs. 

 

They do not help. He said he was not out of compliance with MCAS requirements when his dog was seized and that MCAS just took his dog and won't give him back; that he has no ticket but paid the requested $125 and no one will tell him when a hearing is going to be. He has gone outto MCAS multiple times. All he is told is wait for a court date but none is provided ( Most of the legal/enforcement staff is on vacation this month according to agency voice mail/e-mails)

 

If Mr Jacobs hasn't paid the $125, I will pay it out of pocket. And then we will discuss MCAS refusal to excuse/void unaffordable impoundment and hearing fees for the homeless as well as others with limited restricted incomes. As a unilateral competitive tactic MCAS effectively denies the homeless due process rights that should be afforded to all Multnomah County citizens. The right to a hearing should not be limited by economics/income. It is shameful that this county purposely denies due process rights to tactical immoral advantage. That must change.

 

Robert Babcock will help Mr. Jacobs (He will represent him; Mr. Jacobs asked for help) if the concerns about Striker cannot be resolved before the undated hearing. I will find a way to reach him and confirm that the requested help is granted.

 

MCAS long extensive documented history of bullying, threats, fines, abuse of authority and power, and extorted surrender must stop I have the documents and cases.  Communities, far less progressive then the metro area, engage in education, prevention, owner diversion classes and mediation. This county abuses the poor, minorities and the homeless and the mentally ill. That is the crime. There are other problem solving avenues beyond seizing and killing companion animals of the vulnerable, and taking advantage of their powerlessness..

 

It is time to change now.

 

Gail O'Connell-Babcock, PhD

Watchdog/Citizens for Humane Animal Legislation

16004 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road # 508

Sherwood OR, 97140

Telephone: 503.625.4563. 

Multnomah County's (Portland, Or) idiotic counter productive animal control policies

To: Kim Peoples

     The Multnomah County Commission

     Portland City Council

 

Repeatedly it has been brought to your attention ( the correspondence and documentation in the following August e-mail is only one of many) that Multnomah County's regressive,ineffective cruel animal control agency preys upon the public, issuing threats, fines and excessive penalties often accompanied by the seizure, suspension of ownership and the killing of companion animals for correctable often quite minor offenses.The homeless are often charged as in a recent case $1500  in fines and effectively denied legal representation by being denied information that pro bono legal services are available. Minorities are accused of faking their ignorance of English. Multnomah County sponsors government  animal abuse because of the laziness  and indifference of Multnomah County government when it pertains to animals. Multnomah County government  protects the comfort of long term employees not public service

 

Attached above is another set of tickets: " we are forcing surrender of your dog" ( almost always for correctable minor offenses); "one more time and we will force the surrender of your dog." virtually always meaning killing. Never once does MCAS work with the public to solve problems.They have no owner diversion programs; offer no prevention and education; and  exist in a culture  that  quite commonly operates above or outside the law, relying exclusively upon primitive threats, excessive fines, and punishments that solve nothing and only inflict alienation and pain.  That is what bullies do, govenrment sponsored. They are always on vacation and  absent/ impossible to reach: "Telephone hours are not currently ( or ever) available.". Sometimes the entire upper management is out at the same time. .

 

The fact that Multnomah County has not  responded to or addressed these problems (always in meetings; deaf to public service) is the final insult to the citizens of this community.

 

What does it take to for this government to work? 

 

What is wrong with Multnomah County's representatives?

 

And what does it take to get new government officials who care and act upon compassion, decency and common sense and a real commitment to public service?

 

We need those officials now.

 

    

 Gail O'Connell-Babcock, Ph.D.
Citizens for Humane Animal Legislation/Watchdog
16004 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road, # 508

Sherwood OR 97140

Telephone: 503.625.4563

 

 

Sent: Mon, Aug 12, 2013 2:39 pm
Subject: Multnomah County's idiotic counter productive animal control policies: failing the community

    To:  Michael Oswald

           Kim Peoples, Department of Community Services

           Officer Charles Poetz

           Jeff Cogen, County Chair

           Multnomah County Commission

           Portland City Council

   CC: Robert Babcock

 

Multnomah County idiotic counter productive enforcement practices continue to fail animals and the community

 

Attached find examples of the worlds worst enforcement policies practiced daily by Multnomah county animal control officers whose only tools (“corrective” actions) are escalating threats, punishment, fines and extorted consent. It takes no training or education to engage in threats. Tantrum tickets (next time I’ll get you” a favorite of a number of officers and the agency as a whole) don’t solve problems, they create them. Why fund such primitive appalling behavior?

When you threaten citizens over incidents instead of helping find resources to solve problems you are a very high cost pointless item in the county budget.  If recidivism occurs it is because you failed in your “corrective” actions to find a genuine solution. I am going to post the best “blah, blah I am going to get you next time” tickets every week. For an explanation of what is wrong with MCAS enforcement along with “corrective” solutions read the essay posted below.

For today the litany of threats by Officer Cherry (see attachment) is the ticket of the week:

“Any new dog bite incidents will result in a suspension of ownership request. Quarantine will be required to take place at the shelter and Roscoe will be kept at the shelter pending the appeal hearing decision or a default finding.”

Where presumably Roscoe will read about the fates of errant dogs while in solitary confinement “Security” (allowed 15 minute visits and a visit from the priest). Intelligent communities have dog owner diversion programs, education and mediation. We are stuck with regressive bullying and an “unhealthy/untreatable” system that works for no one: man or dog.

Gail O’Connell-Babcock

Telephone: 503.625.4563