Score: 0 (0/3/0)
Ventura County Grand Jury • 2011-2012

Ventura County Animal Services Department

Published: June 12, 2012 68 pages
Ver PDF original

Findings and Recommendations 69 findings

F01
Since 2010, the Department has had, and presently has, excellent and well thought-out ―Strategic Plans-Mission Statements.‖ (FA-01)
No recommendations for this finding
F02
The Department has made substantial improvement under its post-May 2008 management. (FA-03)
No recommendations for this finding
F03
The Department operates a service whose principal mandated mission is the control of rabies and the health and safety of the public. (FA-02)
No recommendations for this finding
F04
The Department’s mandated mission and collateral services put the Department in close and personal contact with the public. (FA-09)
No recommendations for this finding
F05
The humane treatment of animals and the euthanizing of animals is a focus point of many County citizens and is the subject of extensive newspaper coverage. (FA-09, 10)
No recommendations for this finding
F06
The Department’s mandated mission and collateral services bring the Department into conflict with elements of ―animal-rescue‖ public. (FA-10)
No recommendations for this finding
F07
The Department outsources all shelter spaying and neutering services required or requested. (FA-04)
No recommendations for this finding
F08
The Department outsources emergency services for animal injuries and nighttime animal incidents. (FA-05)
No recommendations for this finding
F09
The Department is understaffed for medical and technical personnel considering its volume of required animal intake and services. (FA-06, 07)
No recommendations for this finding
F10
One veterinarian cannot, over time, physically perform all day and night veterinarian medical services of the Shelter. (FA-04–07)
Related Recommendations (3)
R01
That the County Executive Office conduct a study to determine the economic feasibility of returning outsourced Shelter work to the Department and hiring a second County veterinarian. (FI-07–10)
R02
That the Department bring outsourced services in-house and hire a second County veterinarian. (FI-09, 10)
R21
That the Board of Supervisors provide sufficient additional funds to permit the hiring of a second veterinarian and an Internet maintenance specialist, and to pay for necessary Bordetella vaccine. (FI-09, 10, 17–19)
F11
The Department’s ―unique‖ County Shelter Home Inspection Procedure requires the absence of trained personnel from other Shelter duties. (FA-27, 30)
Related Recommendations (1)
R08
That the Department eliminate its ―unique‖ Shelter home inspections policy and better utilize trained personnel for core Shelter duties. (FI-09, 11, 32)
F12
Internet posting of information of animal adoption candidates—their photo, medical information, breed, size, configuration, and Ventura County Animal Services Department 9 temperament—is critical to the time-line of an animal’s adoption and survival. (FA-34, 35)
No recommendations for this finding
F13
The Department has difficulty in the timely and thorough servicing of its animal adoption Internet service. (Ref-34, 36)
Related Recommendations (1)
R05
That the Department employ an expert Internet website maintenance employee, or utilize an expert site maintenance volunteer, to improve and maintain its website. (FI-12–14)
F14
The Department lacks professionally-trained personnel to maintain its Internet site. (FA-36)
Related Recommendations (1)
R05
That the Department employ an expert Internet website maintenance employee, or utilize an expert site maintenance volunteer, to improve and maintain its website. (FI-12–14)
F15
Department personnel involved in the euthanasia process evidence low morale and ―empathy fatigue.‖ (FA-39)
Related Recommendations (1)
R07
That the Department institute biannual mandatory Employee Assistance Program counter stress technique training for all personnel involved with the euthanizing process, including administrative ―list makers.‖ (FI-15, 16)
F16
Stress reduction training is available to County organizations and individual employees through the EAP. (FA-40)
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The use of the Bordetella vaccine for dogs has become standardized in animal care facilities in the United States. (FA-19, 21)
No recommendations for this finding
F18
The Bordetella inoculation of intake dogs is not a matter of permanent policy of the Department. (FA-20)
Related Recommendations (2)
R03
That the Department institute inoculation of all incoming dogs with the Bordetella vaccine as a permanent policy. (FI-17–19) Ventura County Animal Services Department 11
R21
That the Board of Supervisors provide sufficient additional funds to permit the hiring of a second veterinarian and an Internet maintenance specialist, and to pay for necessary Bordetella vaccine. (FI-09, 10, 17–19)
F19
The Department has not budgeted for the purchase of the Bordetella vaccine, though it has accepted a temporary grant to inoculate certain dogs. (FA-23)
Related Recommendations (2)
R03
That the Department institute inoculation of all incoming dogs with the Bordetella vaccine as a permanent policy. (FI-17–19) Ventura County Animal Services Department 11
R21
That the Board of Supervisors provide sufficient additional funds to permit the hiring of a second veterinarian and an Internet maintenance specialist, and to pay for necessary Bordetella vaccine. (FI-09, 10, 17–19)
F20
A planned and budgeted ―one-stop process‖ animal intake facility is scheduled. (FA-37)
Related Recommendations (1)
R04
That the Department expedite the completion of the planned and budgeted ―one-stop‖ intake facility. (FI-20)
F21
The Department utilizes and trains volunteers to assist in the Shelter’s activities. Department volunteer training is lengthy, with ―no-hands-on‖ —regardless of animal handling experience—and volunteers rarely are used for ―inside-trust‖ work. (FA-33)
Related Recommendations (2)
R15
That the Department revise the training program for volunteers to progressively introduce hands-on animal contact during the training. (FI-21, 22)
R16
That the Department train and utilize competent volunteers to undertake substantive internal administrative duties as well as animal contact duties. (FI-21, 22) 12 Ventura County Animal Services Department
F22
Other shelters train volunteers with progressive hands-on animal involvement and utilize some volunteers for inside administrative tasks facilitating non-animal-contact duties and increasing shelter efficiency. (FA-33)
No recommendations for this finding
F23
Restrictive dog group housing procedures have resulted in less than optimal use of kennel space and unnecessary animal stress. (FA-42–FA-44)
Related Recommendations (2)
R11
That the Department work to improve the selection of compatible breeds in order to increase common kenneling. (FI-23)
R12
That the Department take better care to avoid collocating breeds in kennels likely to bring stress upon one another. (FI-23)
F24
The Department relies on experience-training for Shelter personnel, who often identify ―pit bull mix‖ characteristics without identifying what kind of ―mix‖ is suggested, when classifying Shelter and Internet breed descriptions. (FA-57–59)
Related Recommendations (2)
R09
That the Department reach out to volunteer breed experts and breed classifiers to better train Shelter personnel to more accurately judge breed mixes and act, at times, for the Shelter in classifying dogs on intake and for Internet descriptions. (FI-12, 24, 29–32)
R10
That the Department include with every ―pit bull mix‖ classification, the suspected ―mix‖ breed in the Shelter and Internet description. (FI-12, 24)
F25
The Medical Section of the Department operates autonomously with minimal supervision from the administration with respect to scheduling, work hour accountability, and resource usage, including vehicle usage and storage. (FA-52)
Related Recommendations (1)
R06
That the Department administration exercise more direct control and require more accountability of the medical section with respect to hours of work, overtime, vehicle usage, on-call, and other non-medical policies and practices. (FI-25–28)
F26
Scheduling of medical functions affects the continuity and efficiency of Shelter adoption processes. (FA-52, 53) 10 Ventura County Animal Services Department
Related Recommendations (1)
R06
That the Department administration exercise more direct control and require more accountability of the medical section with respect to hours of work, overtime, vehicle usage, on-call, and other non-medical policies and practices. (FI-25–28)
F27
At times, entry of medical information and other action data into Shelter software is not entered contemporaneously with the service performed and is often entered by other than the actors. (FA-52)
Related Recommendations (1)
R06
That the Department administration exercise more direct control and require more accountability of the medical section with respect to hours of work, overtime, vehicle usage, on-call, and other non-medical policies and practices. (FI-25–28)
F28
Data entered into Shelter software by other than the actor responsible for the entry avoids accountability and may be incomplete. (FA-52)
Related Recommendations (1)
R06
That the Department administration exercise more direct control and require more accountability of the medical section with respect to hours of work, overtime, vehicle usage, on-call, and other non-medical policies and practices. (FI-25–28)
F29
The Department’s proposed mandatory ―Spaying and Neutering of Pitt Bulls‖ legislation affects all owners of dogs in legislated city and County areas who own dogs with ―pit bull‖ physical features. (FA-60–65)
Related Recommendations (1)
R17
That the Department revise its proposed mandatory ―pit bull‖ spay and neuter ordinance program to cover only dogs brought, or caught and brought, to the Shelter. (FI-29–31)
F30
Under the proposed ordinances, classification of mixed breeds labeled as ―pit bulls‖ is to be subjectively and finally judged by the Department. (FA-60–65)
Related Recommendations (1)
R17
That the Department revise its proposed mandatory ―pit bull‖ spay and neuter ordinance program to cover only dogs brought, or caught and brought, to the Shelter. (FI-29–31)
F31
Persons owning dogs judged to be ―pit bull mixes‖ are subject to fines for not having had spay or neuter surgery performed on their dogs. (FA-60–65)
Related Recommendations (1)
R17
That the Department revise its proposed mandatory ―pit bull‖ spay and neuter ordinance program to cover only dogs brought, or caught and brought, to the Shelter. (FI-29–31)
F32
Adoption of the proposed legislation will increase the work load of Shelter officers. (FA-60–65)
No recommendations for this finding
F33
The proposed legislation provides for an appeal process whereby, on appeal, the Department’s appellate decision of its own field classification decision is final. (FA-60–65)
Related Recommendations (1)
R18
That the Department revise its proposed mandatory ―pit bull‖ spay and neuter ordinance program appeal process to include an ―outside‖ review by a three-person hearing panel of volunteer breed experts not in the employ of the County—including at least one volunteer veterinarian—in lieu of Department review of its own earlier decision. (FI-33)
F34
Under the legislation, the prior social history of the animal under consideration is irrelevant. (FA-60–65)
No recommendations for this finding
F35
Unnecessary, time-consuming adoption processing delays, repeated and prolonged line visits, and an indifferent ―Shelter attitude‖ are often encountered by the public at the Shelter service counter. (FA-54)
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
That the Department afford clients in a same-day single adoption transaction a ―head of the line‖ pass when a second or third line wait is required as part of the transaction. (FI-35)
F36
The Shelter’s telephone answering service takes an inordinate amount of time to provide contact options and does not allow for personal contact. (FA-55)
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
That the Department redesign its telephone answering service to reduce the categories of options presented. (FI-36)
F37
The VCASC discloses almost no Internet information and what little information is posted, is difficult to find. (FA-66–68)
Related Recommendations (1)
R19
That the Ventura County Animal Services Commission raise its public visibility by having a clear Internet reference; and by posting its membership, mission, direct contact points, agenda, minutes, meeting schedules and locations. (FI-37)
F38
Department management has seriously detracted from its effectiveness and mission by poor communication evidencing a ―siege mentality.‖ (FA-69) Recommendations
Related Recommendations (2)
R19
That the Ventura County Animal Services Commission raise its public visibility by having a clear Internet reference; and by posting its membership, mission, direct contact points, agenda, minutes, meeting schedules and locations. (FI-37)
R22
That management leadership review their communication and leadership skills by utilizing custom-designed EAP training to enhance those skills, avoid a ―siege mentality,‖ and consequently, to increase the effectiveness of the Department and its public and intra-governmental image. (FI-38) Responses Responses Required From: Board of Supervisors (R-20, R-21) Responses Requested From: Animal Services Department (FI-03–21, 23–27, 29–36, 38) (R-02–18, 22) County Executive Office (FI-07, 08) (R-01, 04, 05) Ventura County Animal Services Commission (FI-37) (R-19) For Information Only: Ventura County Public Health Department Commendations 1. The Ventura County Animal Services Department is to be praised and encouraged to continue in its efforts to become a model shelter despite a tightened budget, restricted personnel hiring, and the burgeoning dependent Ventura County animal population. Ventura County Animal Services Department 13 2. The public advocates reflected in this report are also to be encouraged to continue their efforts to seek compassionate and humane treatment for those unfortunate animals who live amongst us and who are without advocates, and to continue to demonstrate that Ventura County is a caring and civilized society. References Ref-01. Health & Safety Code section 121690 (e) (County-Rabies) http://law.onecle.com/california/health/121690.html (accessed April 18, 2012) Ref-02. Dept. Public Health ―All Counties in CA Rabies Area.‖ http://www.theanimalcouncil.com/files/CA_DHS_2011_Rabies_Declarati on.pdf (accessed March 15, 2012) Ref-03. Dept. Public Health. Laws & Regulations. Related to Rabies. http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/Rabies/CA%20 Rabies%20Laws-Regulations.pdf (accessed March 15, 2012) Ref-04. Nelson, Linda or Rowley, Diana. ―Public rally for animal rights.‖ Ventura County Star, January 16, 2012. http://vcstar.com/news/2012/jan/16/public-rally-for-animal-rights- 4702/?partner+RSS (accessed March 28, 2012) Ref-05. Wenner, Gretchen. ―Animal rescue groups rally for no-kill shelter.‖ Ventura County Star, January 25, 2012. http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jan/25/animal-rescue-groups-rally- for-no-kill-shelter/#ixzz1nEQQGuhe (accessed: February 23, 2012) Ref-06. Williamson, Barbara. ―Williamson: Goal of becoming a no-kill shelter remains elusive.” Ventura County Star, February 11, 2012. http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/feb/11/williamson-goal-of- becoming-a-no-kill-shelter/?print=1 (accessed: April 18, 2012) Ref-07. Biasotti, Bill. ―Activists push for no-kill animal shelter.‖ Ventura County Star, January 26, 2012. http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jan/26/activists-push-for-no-kill- animal-shelter/ (accessed: 02/01/2012) Ref-08. Ventura County Animal Services, ―Working Toward Zero and the No Kill Equation.‖ http://www.newmexicopetsalive.org/resources/Working_Toward_Zero.p df (accessed: April 18, 2012) Ref-09. Dept. Public Health. ―Local Rabies Control Activities Annual Report 2010 Canine Rabies Control, Part 2.‖ http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/Rabies/LRCA% 20Reports/2010%20LRCA.pdf (accessed March 15, 2012 Ref-10. State Department of Finance. ―California Population Continues Slow Growth According to State Demographic Report‖ California Counties by Population. Ventura County Animal Services Department http://www.dof.ca.gov/research/demographic/reports/estimates/e- 2/documents/E-2_Press_Release_Jul2011.pdf (accessed March 15, 2012) Ref-11. Ventura County Animal Services. Shelter Statistics by Year. http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/animalreg/shelters tats/ (accessed March 15, 2012) Ref-12. Barlow, Marya. ―Ventura County Animal Shelter reap rewards of pet competition.‖ Ventura County Star, December 6, 2011. http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/dec/06/ventura-county-animal- shelter-reap-rewards-of/ (accessed April 4, 2012) Ref-13. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians, ―Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (2010),‖ Released: December 6, 2010. http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/20241575/778874386/name/Shelter%2 0Standards%20Oct2011%20wForward.pdf (accessed: March 7, 2012) Ref-14. California’s Model Law (Shelter Law). http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/shelter_law.html (accessed April 4, 2012) Ref-15. Ventura County Executive Office, Human Resources Division, ―Employee Assistance Program.‖ http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/benefits/eap (accessed: March 26, 2012) Ref-16. American Kennel Club, ―Complete Breed List.‖ http://www.akc.org/breeds/complete_breed_list.cfm (accessed: March 7, 2012) Ref-17. California Breed Specific Laws. http://www.dogsbite.org/legislating-dangerous-dogs-california.php (accessed April 11, 2012) Ref-18. County of Ventura, [proposed] Addition to Chapter 4 (Animals) of Division 4 of Ventura County Ordinance Code, Article 9, Spaying and Neutering of Pit Bulls. http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page/portal/animalreg/AnimalR egulationCommission/Draft%20Ventura%20Model%20Pitbull%20SN%2 0Ordinance.pdf (accessed April 11, 2012) Ref-19. Harris, Mike. ―Simi council to consider pit bull ordinance.‖ Ventura County Star, March 25, 2012. http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/mar/25/simi-council-to-consider-pit- bull-ordinance/ (accessed April 11, 2012) Ref-20. Szatkowski: A no-kill shelter within reach http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/may/04/szatkowski-a-no-kill- shelter-within-reach/ (accessed: May6, 2012) Ventura County Animal Services Department 15 Attachments Att-01. Ventura County Animal Services 2010-2013 Strategic Plan and ―SWOT Analysis‖ January 2012 Update Att-02. Extract from ―Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters,‖ 3 pp, The Association of Shelter Veterinarians 2010 Att-03. Ventura County Animal Services ―Working Toward Zero and the No Kill Equation‖ Att-04. COUNTY OF VENTURA ANIMAL SERVICES, MEMORANDUM, December 5, 2011 Att-05. Department of Animal Services Policies and Procedures Manual Number 9-1, Animal Adoptions Att-06. Public letter to Ventura County Animal Services Commission Att-07. Proposed Addition to Chapter 4 (Animals) of Division 4 of the Ventura County Ordinance Code
F39
Shelter personnel have low morale with indications of apparent ―empathy fatigue‖ by those associated with the euthanasia process.
No recommendations for this finding
F40
Upon management application, the Ventura County Employee Assistance Program can present relevant group training to County personnel on matters that may affect the health and well-being of employees. [Ref-15]
No recommendations for this finding
F41
Housing more than one animal in a single unit poses medical and social risks. [Ref-13] (Att-02)
No recommendations for this finding
F42
There are ASV guidelines for selection of animals for group housing. [Ref-13] (Att-02)
No recommendations for this finding
F43
The Grand Jury visited and contacted public shelters which house multiple compatible animals in single units to increase holding capacity.
No recommendations for this finding
F44
The public has complained of inadequate group housing; poor selection of animals for group housing; and animal stress produced by kennel co- location of incompatible breed groupings. [Ref-05–07] 6 Ventura County Animal Services Department
No recommendations for this finding
F45
There are risks and benefits of group housing. [Ref-13] (Att-02)
No recommendations for this finding
F46
Selective mixing of compatible and socialized animals of same or similar size and breed has proved successful in other shelters and has increased the capacity of shelters to reduce euthanasia pressure.
No recommendations for this finding
F47
Holding animals in large population shelters results in animal stress. [Ref-13] (Att-02)
No recommendations for this finding
F48
Placing large dog(s) in kennels adjoining kennels holding small dog(s) results in added stress for both groups.
No recommendations for this finding
F49
Dogs are more likely to be judged aggressive or hyperactive on intake when stressed by the presence of other dogs, or when they are evaluated for ―temperament‖ in the presence or vicinity of other dogs.
No recommendations for this finding
F50
Dogs classified as aggressive or hyperactive are less likely to be adopted than those not so classified.
No recommendations for this finding
F51
Dogs classified as aggressive or hyperactive are more likely to be euthanized than those not so classified.
No recommendations for this finding
F52
In the processing of animal intake, adoption administration is dependent on the ―Medical Release‖ as well as accurate and complete intake medical data, which has been found—in some anonymous case entries—to be sparse, incomplete, inaccurate, or wrong for a given dog.
No recommendations for this finding
F53
The Shelter Medical section functions independently with little or no administrative management control of work schedule and attendance, performance accountability and resource usage, including vehicle usage and storage. Public comment asserts that intra-Department scheduling conflicts have unnecessarily delayed and interfered with some adoption activities.
No recommendations for this finding
F54
Shelter adoption process requires excessive ―line-time‖ and frequent multiple line visits for a single day adoption
No recommendations for this finding
F55
When a phone call is placed to the Department, the Shelter’s opening recorded message takes more than two and a half minutes.
No recommendations for this finding
F56
―Pit bull,‖ is not a breed. [Ref-16]
No recommendations for this finding
F57
A dog’s Shelter breed description is assigned the dog during its intake process by ―experience-trained‖ intake personnel exercising their subjective judgment. The ―breed description‖ assigned is based on the dog’s configuration—in the case of a ―pit bull‖ label, size, facial characteristics (jaw and head size) and body configuration characteristics akin to those of the Staffordshire Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier breeds.
No recommendations for this finding
F58
Several dog adoption facilities classifying dogs bearing ‖pit bull mix‖ physical features, make a judgment based on the prevailing breed of the dog and classify the dog primarily as that breed, e.g., ―Boxer pit bull,‖ Ventura County Animal Services Department 7 ―Brindle pit bull,‖ ―American Staffordshire Terrier,‖ ―pit bull terrier mix,‖ rather than merely labeled ―pit bull mix.‖
No recommendations for this finding
F59
There are known dog classification experts in the County who are willing to volunteer to assist in the formal training of classifiers and to assist in classification.
No recommendations for this finding
F60
The Department has recommended that the County and each city pass an ordinance mandating the neutering and spaying of ―pit bull mix‖ dogs as determined by the Department to be ―pit bull mixes.‖ [Ref-18] (Att-07)
No recommendations for this finding
F61
Mandatory spaying and neutering ordinances are controversial, despite the fact that as many as eleven California counties have passed such ordinances. [Ref-17, Ref-18] (Att-06)
No recommendations for this finding
F62
The proposed ordinance would apply to all ―pit bulls‖—as defined in the proposed ordinance—in the jurisdiction of the adopting legislative body, with the exception of five restricted categories. [Ref-18] (Att-07)
No recommendations for this finding
F63
Pit bull type dogs excepted by the proposed ordinance from mandatory spaying and neutering are:  dogs under sixteen weeks of age  pure-bred Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, or American Staffordshire Terrier, recognized by and registered with one of several listed national registry organizations  dogs used by law enforcement or for law enforcement purposes  dogs with such infirmities, or of such an age, that there is a high likelihood it would suffer death or serious bodily injury by the surgery, if confirmed in writing by a licensed veterinarian  dogs under appeal as set forth in the proposed ordinance [Ref-18] (Att-07)
No recommendations for this finding
F64
The ordinance proposed by the Department is based on the Los Angeles model and provides for non-compliance fines of up to $100.00, plus administrative fees, and up to $500.00 for continued violations. [Ref- 18] (Att-07)
No recommendations for this finding
F65
Under the proposed ordinance, appeals from the ―pit bull‖ classification determination by the Department may be appealed within five days to the Department’s Director, or his or her designee, whose decision would be final. [Ref-18] (Att-07)
No recommendations for this finding
F66
Information concerning the meetings, composition, activities, policies and procedures of the Ventura County Animal Services Commission (VCASC) is obscure and difficult to obtain. Ventura County Animal Services Department
No recommendations for this finding
F67
Information relative to the VCASC is buried in the Department’s Internet site under a reference to ―About Us,‖ and is referred to as the Ventura Animal Regulation Commission, an out-of-date reference.
No recommendations for this finding
F68
Presently, the VCASC has only posted the current agenda, some minutes, no information about the VCASC’s mission or membership, and gives no contact information.
No recommendations for this finding
F69
Public and city personnel—having a reason or duty to interface with Department management—believe there is a ―siege mentality‖ at the Department which results in poor communication on the part of the Department administration. [Ref-20] Findings
No recommendations for this finding

Commendations 2

Agency Responses 5

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.