📋
Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Mendocino County Grand Jury • 2002-2003

Animal Care and Control Department

4 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings and Recommendations 22 findings

F1 Page 35
The three aspects of the AC&CD are political, humane, and law enforcement.
No recommendations for this finding
F2 Page 35
Mendocino County does not have independent mediation services available to county employees. The only suggested alternative is to, “Contact the union.”
No recommendations for this finding
F3 Page 35
The turnover rate at Mendocino AC&CD is greater, proportionately than in Lake or Sonoma Counties.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 35
The County has no exit interview process for departing employees and has no organized way to determine if a department has personnel problems.
No recommendations for this finding
F5 Page 35
There is a consensus among field and shelter employees that upper management has failed to provide them with basic procedure guidelines and equipment that would facilitate efficient use of time and energy.
No recommendations for this finding
F6 Page 35
AC&CD employs a bilingual animal caretaker who is paid extra for on-call English and Spanish translation.
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 35
A field officer expressed a need for portable animal ramps for animal transport vehicles.
No recommendations for this finding
F8 Page 35
Special protective clothing was not issued to employees during the three months probation period. Yet during that period, they were required to participate in field duties in order to be properly trained.
No recommendations for this finding
F9 Page 35
There was evidence of gender discrimination in hiring, training and the issuing of clothing and equipment.
No recommendations for this finding
F10 Page 35
No equipment or procedures for prevention of transmitting diseases from animals to humans and visa versa were available to the public in the pet viewing area.
No recommendations for this finding
F11 Page 35
The AC&CD charges board and room as part of the adoption fees. It also charges spay and neuter fees and rabies shot fees as part of the adoption process. 35
No recommendations for this finding
F12 Page 36
People at the Humane Societies near Ukiah did not share the characterization by the director of the AC&CD about amiable relations between AC&CD and private animal shelters.
No recommendations for this finding
F13 Page 36
There is good working relationship in Ft. Bragg between the county’s AC&CD branch office there and private animal shelters.
No recommendations for this finding
F14 Page 36
The City of Ft. Bragg is satisfied with the contracted services with AC&CD.
No recommendations for this finding
F15 Page 36
The practice of AC&CD charging the same animal room and board fees, charged to the public, before releasing an animal to the Humane Societies, seems to be contrary to the mission statement of “care and control”. Humane Societies are charitable institutions with very limited funds.
No recommendations for this finding
F16 Page 36
AC&CD has no pro-active policy for adoption or referral to Humane Societies or other animal rescue agencies.
No recommendations for this finding
F17 Page 36
All citizens may impound, at their own risk and cost, stray cats or dogs and notify AC&CD for pick up.
No recommendations for this finding
F18 Page 36
In order to prosecute animal cruelty cases, there must be at least one witness who is willing to sign a complaint and appear before the court to testify. An officer who witnesses such cruelty can cite the offending person.
No recommendations for this finding
F19 Page 36
The surrender fee to accept an animal is $40.00.
No recommendations for this finding
F20 Page 36
The AC&CD must abide by state regulations for animal care and handling without state appropriations.
No recommendations for this finding
F21 Page 36
The director is planning a program to enhance services for control and care of animals. A volunteer program is planned to involve public participation with the operation of the shelter.
No recommendations for this finding
F22 Page 36
A computerized microdot program will be installed and scheduled for operation May 1, 2003. All animals that leave the shelter will be identifiable by means of any microdot reader.
No recommendations for this finding