Score: +3 (3/9/0)

Riverside County Grand Jury • 2009-2010

County of Riverside Blythe Animal Shelter

Published: March 01, 2010 4 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings and Recommendations 8 findings

During inspection of the dog kennel, staff informed grand jury members that the entire kennel had been exposed to the parvovirus. At least two dogs had tested positive for this highly contagious and deadly disease. Staff stated this was the second such outbreak at this facility. When questioned as to why sick animals had been placed in the same kennel with healthy animals, staff responded they have no separate quarantine area.

Related Recommendations (1)

Sick animals must be quarantined to prevent spreading the parvovirus and other contagious diseases. Riverside County Department of Animal Services Policy No. 300-03, “Quarantine Guidelines”, states in part: “doors leading into the Quarantine rooms will be locked at all times.”

Parvovirus is a highly contagious disease, almost always fatal to dogs. Once parvo has been introduced into an area, the virus can live on surfaces such as: floors, walls, cages and food dishes, as well as dirt and grass. People can also transmit the virus on their hands, clothing and shoes. Hand sanitizers and disinfectant trays or mats (for footwear) should be used to limit the transfer of the virus. None were present at this facility. Jurors were directed to a closet in the office and told to use a household disinfectant spray for clothing and shoes. 1

Related Recommendations (1)

Blythe Animal Shelter personnel should immediately install disinfecting trays or mats outside all entrances and exits to enable visitors and staff to disinfect their footwear prior to entering and exiting each building at the facility. Dispensers containing hand sanitizer should be installed in the kennel areas as well as in the office.

No signs warning of the presence of parvo were posted and verbal notice was not given until after jurors were inside the kennel.

Related Recommendations (1)

Signs warning of the danger of spreading parvo and the importance of disinfecting should be posted outside and inside the facility to clearly inform all entering of the hazard prior to exposure.

Upon entering the area where cats are housed, jurors observed a cage with paperwork lying on top indicating the presence of a cat; however, the cage was empty. When questioned, staff stated they were unsure of the cat’s location and possibly the “work release girl” had taken it. (The Riverside County Department of Probation Alternative Sentencing Program allows some individuals to “volunteer” in exchange for a reduced sentence.)

Related Recommendations (1)

No animals should be removed from the facility without proper authorization and processing of paperwork. Individuals in the work release program should be supervised at all times.

Inspection of the euthanasia room revealed a refrigerator and cabinets, which although outfitted with hasps and locks, were not locked. Contents included vaccines, euthanasia drugs, syringes and other medical supplies. This area is adjacent to the cat room and accessible to work release workers. The controlled substance log was being kept in the administration area.

Related Recommendations (1)

All vaccines, euthanasia drugs, syringes and other medical supplies should be kept locked except when being used. The controlled substance log should be locked in a safe when not in use. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Food and Drugs, 1301.71(a) requires all registrants provide effective controls and procedures to guard against theft and diversion of controlled substances.

Inspection also revealed two cats housed in cages in the euthanasia room. Staff stated the cats had been in the shelter for some time and were living in the euthanasia room because the cages were larger than the cages in the cat kennel area.

Related Recommendations (1)

No animals should be housed in the euthanasia room. Euthanasia should never be performed in front of live animals. County of Riverside, DAS Euthanasia Standard Operating Procedure states, in part: “…euthanasia will not be performed in sight of another animal.” The larger cages should be relocated outside the euthanasia room. “While animals do not ‘know’ they are about to be euthanized, they do recognize that they are in an unfamiliar environment and efforts should be made to reduce stress prior to euthanasia.” (Humane Society of the United States Animal Services Consultation Report, 2005) 3

The office assistant works alone on the shelter premises, in an isolated area, from 4:00 – 7:00 one night a week, to accommodate pet turn-in and pick-up. This practice jeopardizes the safety of a county employee in violation of Board of Supervisors Policy C-27, “Workplace Violence, Threats and Securities”.

Related Recommendations (1)

DAS should comply with Board Policy C-27, Section IX, 2.g., which states in part: “No employee should be permitted to work or stay in a facility or isolated unit when they are the only staff member present in the facility, if the location is so isolated that they are unable to obtain assistance if needed, or in the evening or at night if the clinic or office is closed.”

The Blythe Animal Shelter is in need of many repairs; however, a new facility is being built in the City of Blythe. It is located a few blocks off the main thoroughfare. The projected completion date is late 2010. Upon entering the dog kennel, it was immediately apparent the facility was infested with cockroaches. Staff stated this has been a problem for some time. Efforts to exterminate them have been hindered by the presence of animals, which prohibits the use of effective poisons. The infestation was present in all three buildings, as well as the shipping container where extra food is stored. 2

Related Recommendations (1)

Upon completion of the new shelter facility, care should be taken, to ensure that all furniture, computers, files, linens, supplies and extra food are pest free before being transferred, to prevent any infestation of the new location. 4

Agency Responses 1

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

County of Riverside

July 27, 2010 • 8 pages • 15 responses • Score: +3 (+3, 9, 0) View Details ▾

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15 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

Respondent disagrees partially with the finding. Canine parvovirus is endemic in Riverside County. The Blythe shelter records individual parvo cases in dogs and puppies every month of the year. Certain breeds may be more susceptible than others to this disease and the infection can be more severe. The incubation period is as long as two weeks. The dogs that tested positive for parvo had an average age of five months. The average stay before these animals exhibited symptoms was less than the average incubation period, which by definition means the animals came to the shelter already infected. W...

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

X Respondent disagrees partially with the finding. Canine parvovirus is endemic in Riverside County. The Blythe shelter records individual parvo cases in dogs and puppies every month of the year. Certain breeds may be more susceptible than others to this disease and the infection can be more severe. The incubation period is as long as two weeks. The dogs that tested positive for parvo had an average age of five months. The average stay before these animals exhibited symptoms was less than the average incubation period, which by definition means the animals came to the shelter already infected....

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

Respondent disagrees partially with the finding. It is true that parvovirus is highly contagious. For this reason the kennels themselves and the surrounding environment is disinfected daily with commercially supplied parvovirus labeled products. Signage has been posted to communicate the potential risk (See Finding 3 below).

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

х Respondent disagrees partially with the finding. It is true that parvovirus is highly contagious. For this reason the kennels themselves and the surrounding environment is disinfected daily with commercially supplied parvovirus labeled products. Signage has been posted to communicate the potential risk (See

No signs warning of the presence of parvo were posted and verbal notice was not given until after jurors were inside the kennel.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

X Respondent agrees with the finding. The Department has posted canine parvovirus signage throughout the Blythe shelter as a result of this finding. The signage describes the virulence of this virus as well as the precautions animal owners should take in preventing spread of disease. Finding Number 4: Upon entering the area where cats are housed, jurors observed a cage with paperwork lying on top indicating the presence of a cat, however, the cage was empty. When questioned, staff stated that they were unsure of the cat's location and possibly the "work release girl" had taken it. (The Riversi...

Signs warning of the danger of spreading parvo and the importance of disinfecting should be posted outside and inside the facility to clearly inform all entering of the hazard prior to exposure.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

Response: Agree Score: +1

Respondent agrees with the finding. The cat in question was removed from its cage during routine cleaning by a work release program participant. At the time of inquiry by the jury members, the employee questioned was not in the animal care area and unaware of the status of the cat.

No animals should be removed from the facility without proper authorization and processing of paperwork. Individuals in the work release program should be supervised at all times.

Response: Unknown

Scheduled: Implemented Score: 0

Respondent agrees with recommendation. The Department agrees with the recommendation and has implemented a procedure by which work release participants are required to check in with the assigned supervisor on an hourly basis for a review of the work completed during that time.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

X Respondent partially disagrees with the finding. Respondent disagrees with the suggestion that the euthanasia drugs are not kept under lock and key. When jury members requested to see the euthanasia drugs, the Field Lieutenant had to be summoned to the shelter on his mandatory furlough day to unlock the safe which was locked within a cabinet in a nonpublic room. The controlled substance log may be kept in any office location. The only prescription is that it be "available for review." Additionally, there is no Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or veterinary board requirement indicating that vacc...

Response: Agree Score: +1

Respondent agrees with the finding. From time to time, these cages are utilized for feral cats, expectant cats, mothers with litters and as long-term enrichment for cats with extended residence due to their larger size. These cages are covered during the euthanasia process. The department agrees that a better location should be found for cats and the replacement facility anticipated to open in September 2010 provides improved cat accommodations.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

X Respondent agrees with the finding. From time to time, these cages are utilized for feral cats, expectant cats, mothers with litters and as long-term enrichment for cats with extended residence due to their larger size. These cages are covered during the euthanasia process. The department agrees that a better location should be found for cats and the replacement facility anticipated to open in September 2010 provides improved cat accommodations. Finding Number 7: The office assistant works alone on the shelter premises, in an isolated area, from 4:00 - 7:00 one night a week, to accommodate p...

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

X Respondent agrees with the finding. The Blythe animal shelter is staffed by three employees. The Board of Supervisors has approved one additional employee for the new Blythe facility. The additional employee will allow the Department to schedule staff in compliance with Policy C-27 and maintain one evening a week to provide service to the public. The new Blythe facility is scheduled to be open in mid-September 2010. Finding Number 8: The Blythe Animal Shelter is in need of many repairs; however, a new facility is being built in the City of Blythe. It is located a few blocks off the main thor...

Response: Agree Score: +1

Respondent agrees with the finding. The modern state-of-the-art new facility should effectively eliminate this problem. The department will make every effort to ensure that no infested material will be brought to the new facility.

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

X Respondent agrees with the finding. The modern state-of-the-art new facility should effectively eliminate this problem. The department will make every effort to ensure that no infested material will be brought to the new facility. - 4 of 7 RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendation Number 1: Sick animals must be quarantined to prevent spreading the parvovirus and other contagious diseases. Riverside County Department of Animal Services Policy No. 300-03, "Quarantine Guidelines," states in part: "doors leading into the Quarantine rooms will be locked at all times." Response: X Respondent disagrees with...