Brevard County to begin advertising for permanent Director

VIERA — Brevard County officials this week will begin advertising for a permanent director to improve operations within the Animal Services and Enforcement Department.


This director will oversee the county-owned, controversy-ridden animal shelters in Melbourne and Titusville, a combined $1.4 million annual taxpayer-funded operation.


Former Director Craig Engelson, whose job performance was roundly criticized in an internal report, was replaced in February. The interim director is Bobby Bowen, the county code enforcement manager.


Today’s job-seeking announcement by interim Brevard County Manager Stockton Whitten comes on the heels of an April 7 tour of the Melbourne animal shelter, attended by Brevard County Commissioner Trudie Infantini and other officials.


According to public accounts, that visit was a debacle: cold, shivering animals; no water bowls in pens; dogs defecating in terror.



In other actions today:



— Commissioners appointed a 10-member animal welfare working group to help guide future shelter policies.

— The commission hired University of Florida veterinary officials to perform an independent, 11-week shelter evaluation. Estimated cost is $4,000 to $5,000.



“We have many balls in the air, with regards to animal services. There have been some improvements,” Whitten said. “And I know the issues are very emotional, but we’ve made progress.”


Commissioners also may elect to privatize the shelters altogether in the coming months.


Animal lovers in attendance applauded the decision to seek a new director.


Melbourne resident Jenny Peterson choked up at the podium, telling commissioners about Apollo, a ferret she adopted from the Melbourne shelter. Apollo later succumbed to the shelter’s distemper outbreak — but not before infecting her other beloved ferrets with the dread disease.


“He died Feb. 22,” Peterson said, fighting back tears. “By (shelter) management not having the proper knowledge that ferrets could catch distemper from dogs, I lost five of my other ferrets. Their names were Sprocket, Kudo, Maggie, Baxter and Jessie.”


Saying she was “devastated,” Peterson said she still owes veterinary bills, and she also lost work wages caring in vain for her ailing pets.







Animal committee created


The Brevard County Commission today appointed members of a new animal welfare working group:



— Fred Abbey, instructor, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Paws and Stripes program

— Mary Bennell, legislative liaison, Brevard Kennel Club

— Anna Brown, former president, Brevard No Kill Coalition

— Theresa Clifton, executive director, Central Brevard Humane Society

— Scott Ellis, Brevard County clerk of courts

— Lorraine Gott, grant writer, city of Satellite Beach

— Clara Mutter, a Titusville dog trainer

— Nicholas Stack, assistant director, Voices for Ella

— Kelli Jo Strabley, member, Brevard County Dangerous Dog Council

— Denise Van Cleef, a Melbourne veterinarian



County officials will schedule a meeting as soon as possible, Assistant County Manager Heidi Denis said.

Call for new shelter manager


Last week, Brevard County Commissioner Trudie Infantini unsuccessfully tried to fire Mary Berley, who manages the Melbourne animal shelter.


Infantini and other officials toured the Eau Gallie Boulevard shelter during the chilly morning of April 7.


During Thursday’s zoning meeting, Infantini announced that she witnessed dogs in pens without water bowls or blankets. She also said some dogs are barred from leaving their pens during the duration of their shelter stay, so they cannot exercise for months.


Infantini worried that these practices may violate Florida Statutes, and “the animal-shelter operator does not have the compassion level to understand that what is being done is not right.”


Infantini’s call to fire Berley did not generate a vote.


Instead, Commissioner Mary Bolin said she wanted to visit the embattled shelter again to investigate — but she believed terminating Berley fell outside the commission’s management boundaries.


Commissioner Robin Fisher agreed. He said the commission directly oversees the county manager and county attorney, not lower-ranking administrators.


“We’ve got to be careful. We’re heading down a slippery slope if we’re firing people from this dais,” Fisher said.


In an e-mail to county leaders, tour attendee Holly Gann, founder of the Merritt Island animal-rights group Voices for Ella, stated she saw cold, shivering dogs without blankets on “Adoption Row.”


Gann also stated that canines were forced to sit in their own feces, and the animals were “being driven crazy” by the primitive conditions.


Berley did not work at the shelter Tuesday, and could not be reached for comment.


Contact Neale at 242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com

Letters to Brevard Commissioners Needed Immediately......

Your Letters to Commissioners Needed Immediately!

Please send before the Commissioner Meeting on 4/14/09



Contact your Commissioners and County Manager Stockton Whitten:

D1.commissioner@brevardcounty.us, chuck.nelson@brevardcounty.us, trudie.infantini@brevardcounty.us, D4.commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D5.commissioner@brevardcounty.us, stockton.whitten@brevardcounty.us




At the bottom of this email is an email I sent to the Brevard County Commissioners. During a recent tour of the South Animal Care Center with a Commissioner and the County Manager, I personally witnessed what I feel are clear violations of Florida's Animal Cruelty Laws. I was horrified by what I saw. I saw dogs on Adoption Row completely exposed to the cold, harsh winds. I saw dogs kept in a room with no water, no mats, and no mental or physical stimulation. I will never, ever forget their faces. These dogs deserve to be treated humanely.


In my email to officials, I detailed the specifics of the cruelty and included the Florida Statutes to back up my claims. I asked the Commissioners to open the spot of Director of Animal Services for applications.


I hope all of you will write a polite letter to the Commissioners. The simple solution for them is to open the application process for a new, permanent Director (the current Director is only Interim and was hired with no animal experience). We need everyone to write letters ASAP to show support for a new Director. I cannot express enough how powerful your letters really are!! The animals need our help now and we are so close to real change, thanks to you!

Please write! Be Their Voice!


Contact your Commissioners and County Manager Stockton Whitten:

D1.commissioner@brevardcounty.us, chuck.nelson@brevardcounty.us, trudie.infantini@brevardcounty.us, D4.commissioner@brevardcounty.us, D5.commissioner@brevardcounty.us, stockton.whitten@brevardcounty.us




My letter I sent regarding my experience:





Hello,




I am emailing to express my absolute disappointment regarding my most recent tour of the South Animal Care Center (SACC). What I saw shocked and disgusted me. SACC is being allowed to commit what is clearly criminal animal cruelty under Florida Statutes, and the current Interim Director and Shelter Manager are allowing these criminal acts to continue..



During my visit, I observed cold, shivering dogs on "Adoption Row." The dogs were suffering unnecessarily as the cold wind rushed through their kennels. There was nowhere for them to go within the kennel to escape the elements. Some dogs did not even have a mat or blanket. I watched as one dog shivered horribly. This suffering could have easily been alleviated with additional blankets, or perhaps the staff could have closed the dividers on the kennels for a short while until the wind died down or the facility warmed up. It was much warmer only an hour later when I left than it was when I arrived. The dividers in the kennels should not be shut all day, but one hour would have made a difference for the cold dogs.



The "Quarantine Room" was absolutely unacceptable. Upon request, the Shelter Manager opened the door to the room. The dogs in the room had no access to food or water. There was a horrific smell that was much worse than the rest of the facility, and I observed a considerable amount of feces. The dogs only had access to one half of the kennel runs, and had no choice but to sit in their own feces. There were no mats or blankets to provide physical relief. Keep in mind these dogs in quarantine and court hold could remain there for several months on concrete. The Manger stated that these dogs are never walked or allowed outside. There were no toys in the kennel, such as durable Nylabones or Kongs, which research shows would provide mental stimulation and physical exercise for the dogs. Because of this, the dogs are being driven crazy, and the unnecessary stress causes the dogs to bark dangerously loud. When dogs are neglected like this, the barking can become very loud, much louder than what would normally
be expected in a shelter. This can damage a human's hearing and it causes unnecessary pain and stress for the dogs. The dogs I viewed in this room were terrified. For example, one dog was so terrified it began to uncontrollably defecate everywhere. There are simple solutions, such as those mentioned above, that can be implemented to decrease the excessive barking and ease the physical and mental suffering of the dogs.Yet, this cruelty is allowed to continue.



Further, during the visit to SACC, I asked the Shelter Manger, Mary Berley, many questions. Her answers were highly evasive. However, she did admit that they do not weigh animals to calculate the appropriate dosage of the euthanasia drug prior to euthanasia, but rather the technicians "guess" the weight of the animals. Euthanasia must be conducted humanely, and this requires using an appropriate dosage of the drug, not an “estimated” dose that leaves significant room for error.




I have included some relevant Florida Statutes in this email. The actions and neglect taking place at SACC are criminal and must stop immediately.




I am asking for the immediate removal of the Brevard Animal Services and Enforcement (BASE) Interim Director. He allows staff members, such as the Shelter Manager, to continue employment at BASE, and condones the criminal activity of staff. As long as the current management continues to be employed at BASE, there will be no permanent change in the shelter conditions. The situation regarding BASE has been ineffectively drawn out for far too long. The current director had no animal experience prior to being hired, and is too inexperienced to fix the numerous problems. The only efficient solution to the current problem is to open the application process for the Director position, and hire someone with the appropriate qualifications to be Director. A Director with animal care and management experience can make sure the shelters are run appropriately by the county.



I am asking that you please open the application process for the Director position immediately.






Florida Criminal Statutes:




828.02 Definitions.--In this chapter, and in every law of the state relating to or in any way affecting animals, the word "animal" shall be held to include every living dumb creature; the words "torture," "torment," and "cruelty" shall be held to include every act, omission, or neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is caused, except when done in the interest of medical science, permitted, or allowed to continue when there is reasonable remedy or relief; and the words "owner" and "person" shall be held to include corporations, and the knowledge and acts of agents and employees of corporations in regard to animals transported, owned, employed by or in the custody of a corporation, shall be held to be the knowledge and act of such corporation.




828.12 Cruelty to animals.--



(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.


(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.


828.13 Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals.--



(1) As used in this section:


(a) "Abandon" means to forsake an animal entirely or to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal by its owner.


(b) "Owner" includes any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of an animal.


(2) Whoever:


(a) Impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply the animal during such confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water,


(b) Keeps any animals in any enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air, or


(c) Abandons to die any animal that is maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased,



is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both imprisonment and a fine.

Navy Seals' Pet Murdered

POST FAR AND WIDE - please. Stephanie from the SPCA International just emailed this to me.




SEAL's Dog Killed: Give Criminals Maximum Sentence!








Target: Texas Courts and Prosecutors


Sponsored by: SPCA International





Help SPCA International (http://www.spca.com/) demand that Texas courts prosecute the four animal abuse criminals to the fullest extent of the law. Sign now!

Former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell's therapy dog was brutally killed by four young men last week. According to Luttrell, the criminals were cruising his county in Texas shooting dogs for fun when he heard a shot in his front yard and found his dog, Dasy, murdered. Luttrell chased the criminals through four counties and brought them to justice with the help of the local sheriff's department. Luttrell witnessed these criminals laughing and joking about their killing rampage, even after they had been apprehended by authorities.

Luttrell's dog, Dasy, was no ordinary pet. Luttrell is called the "Lone Survivor" because he was the only survivor from a 2005 battle that caused the largest loss of life in SEAL history. Each letter in Dasy's name represents his fallen SEAL team members. Luttrell was given Dasy during his recovery period after sustaining horrific wounds. Luttrell said, "I consider that dog just like a daughter to me."

Please sign this petition and help SPCA International tell the Texas courts to prosecute these cruel criminals to the fullest extent of the law. "You need to be held accountable for what you do," pleaded Luttrell on Glenn Beck's Fox News show. See Luttrell's full interview here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLO_JI9Pns


Signature Goal: 5,000



2,228 Signatures!




Please sign petition here.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/seals-dog-killed-give-criminals-maximum-sentence

lil Country Paws

Thinking about rehoming your pet for free...DON'T

Dog Gone

People aren't the only ones losing their homes during these difficult times so are their pets, but beware, offer your pet free to a good home and it could vanish. Police are investigating several missing dogs, which were all given to the same man. Carmel Cafiero is here with this special assignment report, Dog Gone.
Reported by:



WSVN -- Robbie Coy: "He's 9 years old, left in a garage. The next door neighbors broke into the garage to take him out."

That cruelty is just one symptom of the kind of stress people are under these days. Throughout South Florida, dogs like these are being dumped, abandoned or turned in to shelters by owners no longer able or willing to care for them.

Robbie Coy: "That's Jumbo and Yumbo. They came in together."

As a result, rescue groups like Sabbath in South Miami-Dade now have more homeless dogs then ever before, and in Boca the Tri-County Humane Society, a no kill facility, is passed capacity.

Jeannette Chrisos: "And it's sad when you have to turn people away when they're in your lobby, and they're crying, and we must get 50 calls a day, and 20 people come into our shelter."

Some desperate owners have offered their dogs free to a good home, but experts say that can be a death sentence.

Jeannette Chrisos: "The worst thing you can do is give an animal away free."

They say people lie to get the animals and then...

Robbie Coy: "They can sell it as a laboratory animal. They can use it for fighting with pitbulls. They can torture it. They can do anything they want. You have no idea who they are."

And that's what the folks who raised and loved Bubba fear may have happened to him.

Mark: "I think Bubba's possibly dead. I don't think he's around anymore."

Mark and his wife Kim have asked us not to use their last names.

Kim: "We were trying to do what was best for Bubba."

Mark's out of work. They have a new baby and had to move to a home with no fence. They offered Bubba free to a good home on Craig's List and thought the man who took him in would give Bubba a loving home.

Mark: "He said, 'Just about every Sunday I have a barbecue.' He said, 'Give me a call, come by, visit with him, play with him.'"

Carmel Cafiero: "So Mark left Bubba here at this Hollywood home, but that same night, Kim was cruising the Internet and discovered the man who adopted him had been getting other dogs from the Internet too. She had a very bad feeling."

She called the next morning.

Kim: "I said we want him back this morning, and if not we want him back today, and he said, 'You can forget about it. You're not getting your dog back. Your dog is gone.'"

In less than 24 hours Bubba had vanished.

Mark: "He said you gave that dog to me, there's nothing you can do, forget about it. He's gone."

This is the man they trusted to give Bubba a good home. His name is Kelvin Quiles. He's a used car salesman with a criminal record. He moved out of the Hollywood house, but we found him selling cars in North Miami. He wouldn't tell me what he did with the dog.

Carmel Cafiero: "Where's Bubba? What did you do with Bubba?"

Quiles shoved the microphone away.

Kelvin Quiles: "I told you, get the --- out of here, OK?"

And then locked the door, but questions from law enforcement will not be so easy to dismiss.

Hollywood Police Lt. Scott Pardon: "We've been investigating since January 30th."

The Hollywood Police Department says it has an open and active investigation on Quiles based on dogs he has acquired.

Hollywood Police Lt. Scott Pardon: "We have people who love their animals, and they're entrusting him with them, and they don't know what's happening to them."

And not knowing is just one of the things that haunts Kim and Mark.

Mark: "I'm really afraid they took him and fought him, and when they were done with him, they killed him."

If you're facing the prospect of having to give up a pet there are options.

Jeanette Chrisos: "If it's just a matter of not being able to afford food for their animals, we can provide that for them."

Check local shelters but make sure you understand if there's a chance your pet could be put to sleep, contact rescue groups. If they can't take your pet, they may be able to help you find a foster home or a new home without your pet ever having to go to a shelter, but don't wait until the last minute.

Robbie Coy: "It's harder to adopt from a place like this than from a home."

In the wrong hands, your dog can end up dog gone in a matter of minutes. It's no way for a loyal and trusting friend to end up.

The Hollywood Police Department asks that anyone with information about Kelvin Quiles, please contact Broward Crime Stoppers. The number is 954-493-TIPS.

VISIT THIS SITE FOR VIDEO CLIP: http://www4.wsvn.com/features/articles/carmelcase/MI115854/

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Tri-County Humane Society
www.tricountyhumane.org

Sabbath Rescue
www.sabbathrescue.org

IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR CARMEL TO INVESTIGATE:

Miami-Dade: 305-627-CLUE
Broward: 954-921-CLUE
E-mail: clue@wsvn.com

Sponsored by lil Country Paws

Cruelty Against Animals Protest Rally

Cruelty Against Animals Protest Rally

Protest rally for Cruelty to Animals. Brevard residents show your support and become a voice for the Voiceless of Brevard. We would appreciate it if everyone would be courteous, supportive
and peaceful. Home made signs are welcomed as long as they are tactful.

Brevard County Courthouse
Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, FL.

March 24th, 2009 @ 11:30 AM





lil Country Paws

ACTION ALERT for Brevard County FL. shelters

***ACTION ALERT*****Cross Post!!***

Please Contact County Manager Stockton Whitten at 321-633-2010 to Ask for Change!

Most of you have heard by now about the recent distemper outbreak in the Brevard County South Shelter. It is believed that this occurred because dogs were not being vaccinated upon entry to the shelter and the kennels were not being disinfected properly.

Many of you already know that the county shelters are in bad shape due to mismanagement. Sure, the cat and dog adoption floors look nice, but in the back, it is a different story. Many of you have heard the stories about the mistreatment and bad conditions at the shelter. There are many people that say this is cruelty. You've heard about dogs stuck in kennels on hard floors with no blankets and the freezing cold nights. There is no heating or A/C system for the dogs in the back (which is the majority of the dogs). You may have also heard that Brevard Animal Services has failed to keep records properly (as shown in a previous county audit).

Recently, I have come across pictures and information about what is going on in the South Animal Care Center's euthanasia room. While we all understand that euthanasia is necessary in some cases, we also understand that it must be conducted HUMANELY with as little pain, suffering, and stress as possible to the animals facing euthanasia.

I have attached pictures to this email that show the euthanasia room. When I first saw these pictures, I asked myself a few questions. 1.) Why are live animals stacked up in cages in this nasty room as they wait to die? 2.) Why aren't the bodies being disposed of properly? 3.) Why are animals being killed in front of each other? and 4.) Why is that black lab dead in his cage? You would not put a euthanized animal back into his cage.

The Shelter Manager is ultimately responsible for what happens at the South Animal Shelter.

If what is happening at the shelters bothers you as much as it bothers me, please speak up and send this email around. County tax dollars pay for this shelter, and you can demand for it to be run appropriately with a good Shelter Manager that will clean up this mess that the current administration has made.

Please contact the County Manager, Mr. Stockton Whitten. He is ultimately responsible for the staff at the shelter and he is the only one with the power to make changes. You can be a Voice and leave a comment to say you want change in the county shelters. This problem has been completely ignored for long enough!

You can CALL Mr. Whitten at 321-633-2010

And EMAIL him at stockton.whitten@brevardcounty.us

*Please be polite, as always.


A zoomed in view of these photos showed some papers that clearly indicated these pictures were taken at South Animal Care Center in Melbourne, FL..

Pictures speak louder than words and here's the proof....Please help us help them.

Letter from a Shelter Manager

I read this posting from the Orlando pets and I think everyone should read this. I do not know the original poster, but I commend this person on their fight to save lives. I know from experience and everything in this note is as true as the sky is blue.

A Letter from a Shelter Manager

I think our society needs a huge "Wake-up" call. As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all...a view from the inside if you will. First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the "back" of an animal shelter for just one day. Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know. That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore. So how would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays," that come into my shelter are purebred dogs. The most common excuses I hear are; "We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets? Or they say, "The dog got bigger than we thought it would." How big did you think a German Shepherd would get? "We don't have time for her." Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs! "She's tearing up our yard." How about making her a part of your family? They always tell me "We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog". Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being in a shelter is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off. Sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy. If it sniffles, it dies. Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it. If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted. It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are. If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of execution, but not for long. Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment. If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment. Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down." First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk happy, wagging their tails. Until they get to "The Room," every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff." Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams. They all don't just "go to sleep," sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves. When it all ends, your pets corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right? I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday on the way home from work. I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter. Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.
My point to all of this DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE! Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is. I just hope I maybe changed one persons mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say, "I saw this and it made me want to adopt." THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT!!

lil Country Paws

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