BY LOUIS CASIANO JR. / STAFF WRITER FOR OC REGISTER
Sharon Logan And OC Animal Care Has Reached A Settlement Agreement Regarding Sharon Logan And Logan vs OC Animal Care
OC Animal Care has reached a settlement with the leader of a local animal rescue who accused the shelter of routinely killing healthy cats and dogs and not allowing enough time for them to be adopted.
Sharon Logan’s lawsuit filed last year in Orange County Superior Court alleged that the shelter also denied animals proper shelter, exercise, medical care and water. She also sought $2.5 million in damages.
Under the terms of the settlement, OC Animal Care defined criteria of owner-surrender animals for euthanasia that have a history of dangerous behavior, OC Animal Care spokeswoman, Katie Ingram said in an email.
In addition, beginning in November, for a two-year period, the agency will send Sharon Logan, of Huntington Beach, a monthly list of every dog taken in the previous month and its outcome.
“We will be providing monthly reports on all euthanized animals to Sharon Logan and her attorneys, and are committed to addressing any concerns that are brought up during this process,” Ingram said.
“We are ecstatic, elated and over-the-moon happy that we have been able to force change at the OC Animal Care,” Sharon Logan said.
Under the terms of the settlement, Sharon Logan, who runs Paw Protectors Rescue Inc., will not receive monetary damages, and both sides agreed to pay their own attorney’s fees and court costs, she said.
OC Animal Care says it catches and spays or neuters feral cats, works with local veterinarians and nonprofits and recruits people to foster animals.
Sharon Logan said she doubts it will follow through on its promises.
“We do believe it’s only a matter of time before OC Animal Care violates the settlement agreement,” Sharon Logan said.
In response, OC Animal Care Director Jennifer Hawkins said the agency plans to abide by the agreement reached with Logan.
“The county is committed to the settlement agreement, and we thank Ms. Logan for working with us to reach a positive outcome for the animals in our care,” Hawkins said. “For her to suggest otherwise is unfortunate.”
If and when that happens, Sharon Logan said she will request that a judge place sanctions on the shelter.
Overall, 26 percent of animals were euthanized in 2014. That has declined since 2010, when 47 percent of all animals that came in – and almost three-fourths of cats – were euthanized, according to agency statistics.
OC Animal Care took in more than 30,000 animals last year, including 12,000 dogs and 12,640 cats.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/care-679534-animals-animal.html
