Article published November 10, 2009
Local officials concerned about high euthanasia rate
By JC REINDL
BLADE STAFF WRITER
With the number of dead at the Lucas County dog pound growing by the day, elected officials of both parties said Monday it’s time for action and change at the dog warden’s office.
“I think changes need to be made,” said State Rep. Peter Ujvagi (D., Toledo), who added that the pound’s euthanasia rate seems too high and its adoption rate too low. Yet, he stopped short of calling for the dismissal of Dog Warden Tom Skeldon.
“It’s very clear from the documentation of the types of dogs that have been put down that many of those ought to be adoptable,” Mr. Ujvagi continued. “Now the fact of the matter is there’s a cost to that, there’s an infrastructure that has to be built, but I think that simply needs to be done.”
A Blade review of dog warden records found that more than 1,800 dogs were euthanized so far this year through late October, representing about 70 breeds, including Chihuahuas, Shar-peis, pugs, and “pit bulls.” Among the dead were 78 puppies under 3 months of age.
Jon Stainbrook, chairman of the Lucas County Republican Party and a longtime dog owner, said he was particularly disturbed to learn that not all of the euthanized puppies were “pit bulls,” but also Chows, retrievers, and other breeds.
“My God, there’s puppies being killed. Under what set of circumstances or criteria is it OK to kill a puppy?” Mr. Stainbrook asked. “There’s definitely some serious questions that need to be answered.”
The GOP chairman expressed doubts over the effectiveness of the warden’s procedures for determining whether a dog is fit for adoption, particularly the standard routine at the county dog pound of pinching dogs’ genitals to see how they react.
“The criteria set up to determine whether a dog should live or die needs to be re-examined obviously,” he said.
Ron Rothenbuhler, Lucas County Democratic Party chairman, said he understands that the dog warden has a tough job, but he would also like to see fewer dogs euthanized at the pound. However, keeping more dogs for longer periods of time would, of course, present a financial challenge, he said.
“Yes, I would like to see that,” Mr. Rothenbuhler said of a lower euthanasia rate. “But who’s going to pay for keeping them while we’re waiting” for adoptions to occur?
Asked if he believes the local Democratic Party could be judged on Mr. Skeldon’s performance at the pound, the chairman said he did not see any connection between the party and the dog warden’s office.
Lucas County commissioners Pete Gerken and Tina Skeldon Wozniak, both Democrats, have been loath to ask for Mr. Skeldon to resign or demand his dismissal. Ms. Wozniak is the dog warden’s first cousin.
Toledo City Councilman Joe McNamara, another prominent Democrat, said that as a dog lover he is concerned about the number of dogs being put down in Lucas County.
“Bottom line, I think there needs to be procedures put in place to save dogs that people want,” said Mr. McNamara, who declined to say whether he thinks Mr. Skeldon should keep his job until he can review the presentation materials given to the county last month by the dog warden advisory committee.
Monday, Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop called on his colleague Ms. Wozniak to recuse herself from future votes involving Mr. Skeldon.
For her part, Ms. Wozniak has said she was told by county assistant prosecutor John Borell that her relation to Mr. Skeldon does not represent a conflict of interest.
Nevertheless, several other elected officials, including Mr. McNamara and Mr. Stainbrook, believe it would be more appropriate for her to step back from matters involving Mr. Skeldon.
“If I were her attorney, I would probably recommend her to avoid the appearance of impropriety,” said Mr. McNamara, a lawyer.
Mr. Stainbrook said he doesn’t believe Ms. Wozniak to be anything but ethical in her behavior. However, the family link is hard to overlook.
“When the matter is involving family as close as a first cousin, it would bring into question anyone’s objectivity,” he said.
— JC REINDL
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