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This text may not be edited or altered, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. For editorial licensing of the pictures or text, please contact ZUMA Press at (949) 494.7704 or e-mail Info@zReportage.com.

Problems Uncorrected Three Years Later

11/14/2004

Text by © Lisa Sandberg/San Antonio Express-News/ZUMA Press

     In 2001, San Antonio's Animal Care and Control invited the National Association of Animal Control to review its facility, policies and procedures.

     The resulting 200-page report detailed problems that included:

     Overcrowding. The facility was housing twice the number of animals for which it was built.

     Overuse of restraint devices. Workers were using catchpoles more than necessary.

     Overloading the tractor cages that wheel animals to the gas chamber. Under such conditions, some animals may collapse and smother others, creating the potential that some might not inhale enough gas to die.

     Neglecting to verify death before dumping.

     Gassing animals whose lungs were not developed enough to absorb the carbon monoxide. The pound was gassing kittens and puppies younger than four months old, a practice the Humane Society frowns upon.

     Administering lethal injections to animals younger than two weeks with a shot into the heart and without anesthesia, as prescribed by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

     Three years later, the practices cited in the report continue.

     Catchpoles regularly are used on dogs that appeared docile and also on cats, for which the devices never were intended.

     Tractor cages routinely are packed with animals, especially cats. Puppies and kittens between two weeks and two months are sent to the gas chamber.

     William Lammers, the pound's veterinary services manager, expressed dismay that the practices haven't changed.

     He said he had ordered his staff to follow the recommendations in the NAAC report when it was first issued.

     "I've covered every one of these issues (with my staff)," he said. "Standard Operating Procedures were issued for each of these things, and they're to see that they're followed. ... Apparently they haven't taken this as seriously as I have."

     This text may not be edited or altered, and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. For editorial licensing of the pictures or text, please contact ZUMA Press at (949) 494.7704 or e-mail Info@zReportage.com.

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