Sharon Logan, Logan vs OC Animal Care.
Via Greg Lee ABC 7 News: Friday, June 19, 2015
ORANGE, Calif. (KABC) —
For the second time this month and the fifth time in 15 years, a
grand jury report is taking aim at Orange County Animal Care, the agency which
runs the county’s animal shelter and provides animal control services to 18
contract cities and unincorporated areas.
The report found several issues including the shelter’s poor conditions
creating potential problems with preventing zoonotic diseases that can be
passed between animals and humans. Zoonotic diseases include rabies and endemic
typhus.
It also points out a “lack of training” and “low morale”
for employees, all allegedly pointing back to poor management practices and
lack of leadership.
“It’s consistent with most, if not all, of the allegations and claims in
our complaint,” said attorney Howard Finkelstein. He’s representing Sharon
Logan who runs a non-profit dog rescue in Seal Beach.
Sharon Logan is suing the shelter for allegedly abusing and neglecting animals
in its care, and for allegedly euthanizing animals too soon.
“The shelter is not complying with the law, or for that matter, their own
policies,” Finkelstein said.
During an Eyewitness News investigation in May, several former employees
made allegations of misconduct, even criminal actions by
management. The report states those issues have been sent to the district
attorney.
“It is our belief that the report in its totality does not accurately
reflect the current OC Animal Care program or the commitment of all county
staff and our volunteers to the humane treatment of animals,” County CEO
Frank Kim said.
The county is currently facing a lawsuit from another former employee at Orange
County Animal Care for wrongful termination.
By law, the county must formally respond to the grand jury report in the next
90 days.
