South Bend Animal Care and Control 2016 Annual Report

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I . owning animals. While ruling in favor of South Bend Animal Care and Control, the Commission criticized the length of time it took to bring the case before the Commission which caused the dog in question to needlessly suffer. The delay involved also prevented South Bend Animal Care and Control from rescuing the animal as the owner moved before the decision was made, potentially removing the dog from the jurisdiction. The animal was ultimately located and seized. At that point the owner sought a rehearing which the Commission denied. Various social media outcry and claims of unfairness were levied against SBACC but no appeals consistent with the Ordinance were filed. The Commission's decision also prompted an outcry from South Bend Animal Care and Control. Shelter manager Matt Harmon expressed his belief at the monthly meeting following the decision that the Commission's criticism was inappropriate. Common Council member Tim Scott also made an unprecedented appearance at the meeting to defend Mr. Harmon. The Commission, indicating the opinion was not a personal attack on any person involved, held fast to it prior ruling. The Commission is an independent body that does not favor any side in cases presented to it. Further, the Commission cannot be intimidated into changing its decisions. Soon after, Shelter Manager Matt Harmon resigned for a new position outside the City of South Bend. The assistant shelter manager took over on an interim basis until a new manager could be selected. The Commission received routine reports for this period with little asked of it. The new Shelter Manager, Jenn Gobel, has reported a review of the status of the shelter and its procedures to the Commission. In addition, Code Enforcement Director Randy Wilkerson has been attending Commission meetings since Mr. Harmon's departure. Both have reported discrepancies in the number of animals accounted for and supposedly in the custody of SBACC. They further report unsatisfactory training of the staff and substandard equipment. They reported to the Commission that an internal audit would be done to account for expenditures and procedures in place. Most importantly, disease outbreaks at the shelter which were preventable were reported. The use of improper kitty litter caused multiple deaths and inappropriate sanitation and ventilation contributed to the spread of disease. Corrective measures and new equipment purchases have been reported to the Commission and should be commended. Dr, Culp provided important information to Shelter Manager Gobel regarding proper intake practices and vaccinations which are to be implemented. The Commission has requested and has been receiving at meetings monthly reports of the euthanasia rate. While nowhere near the goal of a no-kill shelter, recent reports seem to indicate lower numbers than the year prior period. While the Commission has received reports of improvements and planned improvements to the shelter's operation, significant damage was done to its operation and reputation. There has been discussion of updates and modifications to the Ordinance since its inception. The Commission had in the past requested South Bend Animal Care and Control to provide a list of concerns or changes that would help it perform its mission. None was forthcoming. In 2016,former Common Council member Valerie Schey sought to reconvene the committee that drafted the new ordinance. Council members authorized it and the committee was to meet in November. The Director of Code Enforcement, Randy Wilkerson, requested that she postpone that ninety (go) days to allow his department to proceed through the Commission to recommend changes to the Common Council. Ms. Schey went forward with a preliminary meeting of the committee in November. Consequently, she was banned 2