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December, 2007 - Hillsborough Cnty Animal Svcs |
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As a result of an article written by Anthony McCartney that appeared in the Tampa Tribune May 5, 2007 we feel obliged to inform our clients and friends about the conditions affecting dogs and other animals who are in the care of Hillsborough County Animal Services (HCAS). Our hope is that we can affect a change in the current Hillsborough County Animal Welfare System.
Per Mr. McCartney’s article, "HCAS’ unsanitary conditions and lax policies contribute to the deaths of roughly 3,000 animals euthanized each year. Hillsborough County has a history of euthanizing more animals than any other county in the state (82.4%)".
Mr. McCartney's article states that a study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that some animals could be spared.
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Key findings from the ASPCA study include:
* Diseased animals are housed near health animals greatly increasing the likelihood of spreading certain diseases
* Sanitation is poor at times, workers washing feces down the drain rather than placing droppings in the trash.
* Intake and adoption procedures are confusing and unclear to some Animal Services workers.
* A computerized animal inventory isn’t being used to its full potential, sending some animals that could be saved to their deaths.
Animal Services Director Bill Armstrong said, "For anybody that reads the ASPCA report and doesn’t listen to me talk about it for two hours, this looks like a hellhole run by a bunch of idiots".
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Mr. Armstrong also states that his agency has to strike a balance between protecting citizens from dangerous animals and managing a shelter that receives an average of 100 new animals per day. Mr. Armstrong said his agency is obligated to take in all stray and vicious animals, and he lacks the staff and the money to keep up.
HCAS has 100 employees and an $8.4 million budget. Scores of critics of the HCAS disagree with Mr. Armstrong's statement regarding their "inability to keep up".
Our experience regarding HCAS' practices and procedures has not been a positive one.
We hope the exposure received in Mr. McCartney's article will result in a dramatic change in the way HCAS cares for animals.
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