2021 / 2022 San Benito County - Civil Grand Jury Final Report

Recommendations 7

• R1

  Page 41
  The San Benito County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors should aggressively pursue Federal and State grant money to guarantee payment back to the Bureau of Reclamation needed to rid the reservoir of the invasive zebra mussel infestation. As SBC Congressional representation changes in Washington DC, the Board of Supervisors needs to determine the best course of action required to ensure an effective communication channel.
• R2

  Page 55
  The San Benito County Civil Grand Jury recommends the establishment of a swing- shift should be encouraged, funded, and implemented as soon as possible, as recommended by the Novak Report.
• R3

  Page 41
  The Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors accelerate a review of the current contract between the City of Hollister/VEOLIA and the Sunnyslope Water District to determine the cost effectiveness of having separate entities duplicating operations at the two facilities.
• R4

  Page 41
  The Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors accelerate a review of the current contract between the City of Hollister/VEOLIA and the Sunnyslope Water District to decide the cost effectiveness of having separate entities duplicating operations at the two facilities.
• R5

  Page 55
  The San Benito County Civil Grand Jury recommends the full-time position of a Cannabis Officer should be re-established immediately and the service to the private businesses should be charged to cover the fees.
• R6

  Page 55
  The San Benito County Civil Grand Jury recommends the development of funding towards the reinstatement a Citizen and Youth Academy as soon as possible. 55
• R7

  Page 56
  When the City of Hollister spends over $44,000.00 for a consulting report, at least 25- 50% of the findings should be implemented. Bibliography https://www.thebalancecareers.com/why-police-departments-are-facing-recruitment- problems-974771 RESPONSE REEQUIRED California Penal Code s/s 933 requires that a response to the recommendations found in this final report be delivered to the presiding judge of the Superior Court of the receipt of the report. Affected Agencies: Hollister City Council Hollister Police Department 56 CITY OF HOLLISTER ANIMAL SHELTER SUMMARY The San Benito County Civil Grand Jury investigated the facility, management, and organization of the Hollister Animal Shelter, including the care and treatment of the animals therein. Consideration was given to staff training and retention, volunteerism, hours of operation and the care rendered to the animals. The Grand Jury believes the findings of this investigation are consistent with previous Grand Jury investigations, and with concerns frequently voiced by the community. The investigation took place over the course of many months, beginning in October 2021 and culminating with verification interviews in June 2022. During this investigation, the Grand Jury was pleased to learn that several positive changes were already in progress at the Animal Shelter. These changes include, but are not limited to, expanded hours during the week and on Saturdays, availability of the after-hours kennels, recruitment of volunteers and hiring new staff members. Most recently the Grand Jury learned that shelter staff have been approved to attend the 80-hour Humane Academy, have completed recent training regarding PC 597.1 (Laws regarding animal abuse and neglect), and the department web site is updated to reflect the current hours of operation. PURPOSE OF INQUIRY The Civil Grand Jury has visited the Hollister Animal Shelter on several occasions in the past. This inquiry was conducted in part to review prior complaints and improvements, and current concerns brought forth by the community at large. METHODOLOGY The Grand Jury engaged in dialog with present and past City officials and staff knowledgeable about operations, and reviewed complaints regarding the historical and existing management of the Animal Shelter. Current staff members were interviewed, as well as community members and social media resources. Due to Covid restrictions, no volunteers were available for contact. A tour of the facility was conducted and compared to other nearby animal shelters. Dog behavior assessment testing was demonstrated with two different dogs, using a personality/temperament rubric. Intake, euthanasia, and live release statistical reports were reviewed, as well as criminal negligence reports submitted for prosecution. BACKGROUND The Civil Grand Jury has conducted infrequent and irregular inspections of the Hollister Animal Shelter. Most recent inspections were conducted by the 2007-2008 Civil Grand Jury, a follow-up investigation by the 2008-2009 Civil Grand Jury, an inspection by the 2016-2017 Civil Grand Jury and the current 2021-2022 investigation. Earlier investigations have revealed concerns about the limited hours that the shelter is open to the public, lack of sufficient staff and volunteers and out of date web site information. The 2008-2009 follow up investigation clearly cites concerns regarding the lack of volunteers and a need to recruit and engage the community in volunteers to assist at the shelter. Also discussed is the need for additional staff. When asked, the 2008-2009 staff expressed a clear need for an administrative attendant to work at the front desk and two kennel attendants. Sadly, more than 10-years later, these needs have still not been addressed. LOCATION AND STRUCTURE The Hollister Animal Shelter was established in 1982. In 2007 the shelter moved to the current location at 1331 South, Hollister. The current facility, while clean and maintained, is already sadly outdated and entirely too small. DISCUSSION Members of the Civil Grand Jury conducted multiple visits to the shelter, as well as follow- up phone calls and emails to verify information gathered. Criminal reports as submitted by ACO’s to the District Attorney’s office for filing were reviewed. Shelter staff released statistics regarding the number of animals in care, redeemed to owner, adopted, and euthanized over the previous 12 months. Social media and websites were reviewed regularly. Visits were made to the local dog parks. In previous 2008-2009 and 2016-2017 reports, Grand Jury recommendations were made to increase staffing levels for Animal Control Officers (ACO’s), Kennel Attendants and Office Staff. Those previous recommendations have not been fully implemented with regards to kennel attendants or office staff. The addition of 2-3 part time kennel attendants and administrative support personnel would allow specially trained Animal Control Officers more time in the field and engaged with the community. Robust recruiting and development of volunteers would allow ACO’s to attend training, spend more time in the field, and conduct investigations about animal neglect and abuse. Our community has a culture and history of volunteerism, with many residents clamoring for opportunities to give back. While volunteers must be managed, the many benefits easily outweigh the cost. Cruelty or Neglect to Animal investigations, Penal Code 597.1, can be complicated and require the ability to prepare complete, concise reports and documentation, as well as the identification, preservation, and chain of custody of all evidence. These investigations 58 also require the opportunity for pre or post animal seizure hearings by an independent hearing officer. No indication of these requirements was found in the reports submitted for review. The current shelter staff have not attended the 80-hour state recognized training hosted by the Marin and San Diego SPCA’s This training fulfills minimum requirements for state humane officers and animal control officers and should immediately be required and implemented for HAS staff. Continuing education should include training to be recognized as Certified Animal Control Officers (CACO) as recommended by the 2020 legislation, the Animal Control Officers Standards Act. Officer’s and staff should participate in available online and in person training through California Animal Welfare Association (CAWA). The Grand Jury has learned as of June 2022 that the 80-hour training in San Diego or Marin has been approved and staff are being scheduled to attend the next available course. The current “impound” or intake area is small room, located just off the reception area. The room is harsh in its lighting and aesthetics. Its location next to the shelter reception area adds to a stressful environment for staff, animals, and the public during intake evaluations, vaccinations, and treatment. There is no veterinarian on site, no surgery area for spay and neuter surgery, and limited resources to treat sick or injured animals on site. This results in staff, with limited time already, being forced to schedule and then transport animals off-site for routine care, spay/neuter, and emergencies. A veterinary treatment area, including a surgery suite, could accommodate minimally a part-time veterinarian and veterinarian technician on site. This veterinary team could perform assessments necessary for cruelty or neglect investigations, emergency, and urgent treatment for sick or injured animals, provide for spays and neuters to be completed before animals are adopted out, provide low-cost spay/neuter and vaccinations for the community that would generate income, and provide for better custody and control of licensed euthanasia and pre-euthanasia drugs. A recommendation was made to no longer accept feral cats from the city and county. As feral cats are not regularly adoptable, they add significantly to the euthanasia statistics. This would be a poor practice to answer a perception without considering reality. Feral cats continue to reproduce at rates that outpace all Trap Neuter Release (TNR) programs. Feral cats suffer from untreated disease and lack routine vaccinations, preventive care, or veterinary treatment. They suffer traumatic deaths either by being hunted by predators or hit by cars. Feral cats hunt to survive and have overwhelmingly decimated the populations of wild songbirds. The Civil Grand Jury does not support a policy that would no longer accept feral cats. The Civil Grand Jury notes that the drop-in inspection reflected an exceptionally clean and well-organized facility. Staff were enthusiastic and passionate about their responsibilities. The shelter is currently staffed with three Animal Control Officers, one ACO supervisor, 59 an office manager and an applicant for the kennel attendant position is in process. Once the new kennel attendant is on board, the shelter will be fully staffed as currently budgeted.