ALERT RECIEVED

Corpses of cats and dogs dumped at the rendering facility D & D Disposal. Compliments of LAAS and Ed Boks.

 

(We have deleted the writer's name of the
below letter to two journalists in order to
protect her from possible retaliation via Ed Boks.)

Forwarded to ADL-LA:

***************************************************************

Dear Ms. Hall and Mr. Orlov,

My purpose in this letter is to get some light shed on the absolute ineptitude of most of the paid workers at our city animal shelters.  To the point that I wish to refrain from calling them 'SHELTERS".  That implies a safe haven.  We should go back to calling it 'the pound'.
I'll try to keep it short:  I've worked in animal rescue and adoptions out of city shelters since 1988. I also trap/neuter/inoculate and release feral and stray cats at my own cost to keep down the populations.

When I ask for info on a dog at East Valley Shelter, request that a water dish be filled, point out dogs fighting with one another in over-crowded runs, or ask a basic question like: "Can someone tell me about the such and such dog?'"...I have been told by the PAID STAFF  things like:  "Who are you?",  "Are you with one of those rescue groups",  "Go tell someone at the front desk" or very rudely: "I can't help you if you don't go get the animal's ID# for me" Those are examples of rudeness. And I can identify those people. They are not volunteers or community service workers. 

One of MANY examples of incompetence:  I adopted out an 11 year old dog  last week who clearly had kennel cough, severe flea dermatitis, and black teeth due to gum infection.  The dog was in quarantine and never treated or even checked out.  How do I know this? They were giving him hard food that he could not chew or swallow. And I was told to have him neutered when he was clearly ALREADY NEUTERED.  $900 later at the vet, after being in quarantine for nearly a month, vet said he hadn't eaten in weeks!  And that he was already neutered.  He was treated for upper respiratory infection even though shelter vet-tech handed him to me after his medical 'check-up' and said he was NOT suffering from kennel cough.  Dog was dry-hacking that moment.

Well, I have not made this short, sorry,  but I have omitted countless stories of incompetence, rude attitude from staff, and seeing dogs labeled as unadoptable due to aggression when they were not in the least bit aggressive.  These dogs are now happy in their homes after the efforts of rescue groups who don't believe what they're told.  It's clear that dogs are intentionally 'mis-labeled as pit bull breeds when they are not close to that and as aggressive when they are just scared in order to justify unchecked high numbers of euthanasia's.

Further, I am calling for the resignation of Ed Boks, Director of Animal Services.  I have spoken with him on the phone and sent several emails and he has consistently either turned a blind eye or misrepresented what's going on in his shelters. I believe that orders are coming from the top regarding the mislabeling for purposes of justified euthanasia. For your future reference, I have a vast network of fellow volunteer friends, rescue friends, and former volunteers who were 'pushed out' due to whistleblowing. They are available for comment. Many remain anonymous for fear of being banned from their adoption efforts at the shelters. I realize there a big problems and big 'stories' to be written about in this world.  This is just what's happening in MY world.  The world where I've chosen to donate my time, money, efforts and my heart.

We as a group don't have unrealistic expectations about euthanasia.  It will probably have to be implemented for years to come.  But Ed Boks and those under him should not be allowed to get away with this system of calculated euthanasia to keep his 'numbers' down and label his administration as one that is working towards 'No-Kill Shelters'. He has political aspirations outside of his current position or I'll eat my hat! Thanks for listening and feel free to quote me.