Article published October 21, 2009
Panel says too many pets euthanized in Lucas County
Dog warden urged to boost adoptions, animal welfare
By JC REINDL
BLADE STAFF WRITER
The chairman of an oversight committee for the Lucas County dog warden said yesterday that too many dogs are euthanized at the local pound and not enough are adopted out to new homes.
Stephen Serchuck, chairman of the dog warden advisory committee, told the county commissioners that the dog warden's agency, headed since 1987 by Tom Skeldon, lacks standard procedures for its daily operations, including protocols for euthanasia and the use of tranquilizer darts to subdue mangy dogs.
"He doesn't have a [standard operating procedures] manual, so there's no way to evaluate how he runs his programs and policies," Mr. Serchuck said after the meeting. "We think he's doing a good job enforcing [laws], but besides that, there's a lot of areas for him to improve on - adoptions, euthanasia, animal welfare."
Members of the 11-person committee presented the commissioners their initial set of four recommendations for improving the dog warden agency, including the reinstatement of controversial door-to-door dog license checks.
The committee's presentation was its first formal report.
The group was formed last winter following an earlier effort in 2008 by a group of pet owners and allies who wanted to see Mr. Skeldon fired. The group accused the warden of not collaborating enough with animal rescue shelters, promoting discrimination against pit bulls, and having an overall callous attitude toward dogs' welfare.That effort claimed 3,000 petition signatures, and resulted in a public hearing and the eventual formation of the dog warden advisory committee.
Yet Mr. Serchuck said that some of his committee's most far-reaching recommendations are still to come. Future proposals could address the warden's long-standing policy of refusing to work with "all-breed" animal rescue groups aside from the Toledo Area Humane Society.
| RECOMMENDATIONS |
•Developing a standard operating procedures manual.
•Requiring that all dogs be vaccinated for canine distemper and kennel cough.
•Reinstating the check-off box on annual dog license applications to indicate whether a dog is spayed or neutered.
•Restarting door-to-door license checks by agency staff. |
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"We're going to make significant changes," Mr. Serchuck told The Blade, saying that too many dogs and pit-bull breeds are being euthanized. "Not overnight, but over time, there will be significant changes."
Mr. Skeldon sat quietly near the back of the room during the committee's presentation. Afterward, he declined to comment as he left Government Center.
"I don't have any comment other than to say I thank them for their efforts," said Mr. Skeldon, who is a first cousin to Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak.
Nearly 80 percent of all dogs seized or surrendered to the pound each year are euthanized, according to the agency. About 7 percent of pound dogs are eventually adopted, and about 18 percent are reclaimed by their owners.
The majority of euthanized dogs are pit bulls, which by dog-warden policy are not adopted out.
Forty-seven pit bull puppies were reportedly killed in the first five months of this year.
Mr. Serchuck said the committee is not looking to remove Mr. Skeldon from office, an action that would require cause for dismissal.
The four recommendations presented yesterday were:
••Developing a standard operating procedures manual for the dog warden.
••Requiring that all dogs be vaccinated for canine distemper and Bordetella, also known as kennel cough, on the same day they're brought to the pound.
•Reinstating the check-off box on annual dog license applications to indicate whether a dog is spayed or neutered.
••Restarting door-to-door license checks by dog warden staff, but with assurances to not target specific neighborhoods.
The commissioners voted in 2008 to halt the controversial surprise visits, though Mr. Skeldon argued the checks ensured a high level of license compliance.
To increase adoptions from the pound, the committee is considering a requirement that the dog warden transfer dogs to animal welfare groups other than just the humane society or organizations that work with specific breeds.
"There are many well-respected groups who can take these dogs as well, and cutting them out of the loop is simply not acceptable," the committee wrote in its list of "preliminary ideas".
"A lot of local groups are taking dogs from other county dog wardens to adopt. This makes absolutely no sense," the report stated.
Commissioner Ben Konop, an early proponent of the dog warden advisory committee, said he hopes the recommendations can lead to more dogs adopted out of the pound.
"We've been killing too many dogs that could find other homes, and that doesn't reflect well on our community," Mr. Konop said. "We need to really hold the warden's feet to the fire."
Licensed dogs are held for at least 14 days in the pound before being put down.
Unlicensed dogs are held for at least three business days.
Commissioner Wozniak said the commissioners will report back to the advisory committee next week before all the recommendations presented yesterday may be adopted.
"I think generally they're very good recommendations," Ms. Wozniak said.
"They've made a great first assessment of things we can do to improve the situation," she said.
Contact JC Reindl at:
jreindl@theblade.com
or 419-724-6065.
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