Shelter inspections suggested by police

Marisa O’Neil and Alicia Robinson

Problems including unsafe kennels, poor drainage, rodent infestation

and improperly disposed-of animal carcasses have been rectified at

the city’s contracted animal shelter in Huntington Beach, but an

oversight committee should keep tabs on the facility, City Council

members heard Tuesday.

The council held a study session Tuesday to examine what

improvements have been made at the Orange County Humane Society in

Huntington Beach since former volunteers accused shelter

administrators last September of improperly caring for animals.

Police officers from Costa Mesa, which contracts with the shelter to

act as its city pound, conducted an investigation into the

allegations and issued a report including recommendations to the

city.

“Essentially, we didn’t find evidence to support allegations that

sick or injured animals were failing to receive attention,” Costa

Mesa police Lt. John FitzPatrick said before the meeting. “We did

find euthanized animals not being cared for, the drainage system had

left fecal matter in cages, and rat infestation.”

Those problems have since been fixed, FitzPatrick said.

A report he submitted to the city in November outlined the

allegations, the police department’s findings and recommendations.

Two of the three recommendations have already been followed, he said.

Veterinarian Samir Botros, who runs the shelter and attached

veterinary hospital, has agreed to following minimum care standards

outlined by the Humane Society of the United States, FitzPatrick

said.

Officers also recommended holding animal impound fees in a

separate account from the rest of the shelter’s money. That account

has already been established, FitzPatrick said.

Now the city should establish an oversight committee to inspect

the facility twice a year, in addition to twice-yearly inspections by

the county, council members heard. FitzPatrick said the committee

should include him, a sergeant with the department, a veterinarian

and a Costa Mesa resident.

Councilwoman Linda Dixon suggested the inspections take place four

times a year, rather than two.

About six former volunteers at the shelter came to the meeting.

One, Costa Mesa resident Suzanne Bartholemy, felt that the measures

didn’t go far enough.

“Our idea of an oversight committee wasn’t to make an appointment

and maybe stop in two or three times a year,” she said.

Costa Mesa is in its second year of a three-year contract with the

shelter.