| Jacque Lynn Schultz, ASPCA Director of Special Projects wrote the following in her article "Animal Handing Safety Tips" : "Make use of your animal control pole with dogs and cat graspers or net with cats. Never use an animal control pole on a cat."
The photo is of an adult cat hanging by its neck only from an animal control pole during a raid by the Animal Cruelty Task Force. The animal control pole is only to be used to "move an OBS (observation for bite) or fractious dog from place to place" as per the employee manual. The purpose is to "keep animal under control at a safe distance from the handler and others." It is only to be used on dogs walking on the ground to help lead them. It is not supposed to be used to hang an animal in midair as they can break their neck or cause strangulation from the loop tightening. You may not drag an animal with this device. The handler is supposed to place the loop around the neck and one foreleg. You may never only loop it around the neck as the animal may break it's neck trying to free itself or it may die from strangulation. Most importantly, animal control poles are NEVER to be used on cats as they can easily break their neck trying to free themselves or strangle themselves. Using an animal control pole on a cat is considered animal cruelty. Nets and cat graspers are the employee recommended device to use on cats.
DESCRIPTION: A large male cat does it's best to escape Los Angeles Animal Control and Los Angeles Police officers at the home of Ronald Mason. Los Angeles Animal Cruelty Task Force members served a warrant at the home in the 18700 block of Napa Street in Northridge early Thursday morning. Mason, 59 years old, was arrested on suspicion of felony animal neglect and faces up to three years in jail. As of mid-morning 38 adults and juvenile cats were removed from the location..(Hans Gutknecht/LA Daily News)
----- Original Message -----
From: Edward Muzika
To: adlla@animaldefense.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 6:37 PM
Subject: Open letter to Ed Boks
Dear Mr. Boks,
On October 11, you posted a press release on your website regarding a raid by the department, the police and the Animal Cruelty Task Force on the home of Ron Mason in Northridge. That press release has disappeared from your website. The URL was 10-11-07 ACTF Arrests Suspect for Animal Neglect. Why was that press release taken down just days after it went up?
Consider this a request for that press release and public record. You have ten days to respond. I will pay any reasonable fee up to $25 for this single document. The preferred method of delivery is electronic.
One of the photos in the Dana Bartholomew's Daily News article showed a large orange cat being hoisted in the air by its neck at the end of a catch pole. Dana said the noose was aggressively tightened by the AC. I understand that this is against Department policy. I also understand the person who did this was A. Ramirez, an AC officer. Will she be reprimanded and counseled? Also, an unknown AC sent in a comment to my blog that it is common practice for animal control officers to capture cats in this way. Is this true to your knowledge?
The cat's name is Muffin. Where is Muffin's whereabouts if he is still alive?
Dana Bartholomew was told that 2 cats tested positive for feline distemper, also known as panleukemia and that was the reason for the warrant to search Mason's property leading to his arrest. Now I understand that that is not true, no cat tested for panleukemia. That is, the warrant for his property search and arrest was based on facts not true.
Were any of the 12 kittens handed over to LAAC 3 days before the raid tested for panleukemia and tested positive? What was the disposition of these kittens?
I also understand all of Mason's veterinary records were taken from him and not returned as well as medications for his cats. Is this true and will they be returned?
Why was Mason raided when he had a City lock on his gate giving the city 24-hour access to his property?
Why was Mr. Mason arrested and charged when three previous raids of alleged hoarders were not? That is, what is special about Mr. Mason's case other than you want to make the department look good at the expense of a poor person who cannot afford legal counsel and will plead rather than lose his house to pay the cats' impound bills?
Personally, I think this act on your and the mayor's part to showboat the Task Force proves the department and the City has lost any remaining moral credibility.
For background, please see Dana Bartholomew's article at:
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_7153695
Edward Muzika
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