Harrison Counties Gas Chamber

You will see that animals slept next to where they died. The homemade gas box was in full view of other dogs, so they could hear the cries of those shoved into the gas box. It was barbaric and inhumane to say the least.

On October 1, 2008 we were thrilled when our request to close the homemade gas box, which had been constructed by local county garage workers, became reality. Dogs at the Harrison County Dog Pound are now euthanized by injection.

Nonetheless, Harrison County Dog Pound remains plagued with problems. The operation of this facility is substandard. There are no exterior walls. The facility itself is little more than a pavilion, on an old cracked concrete slab that directly adjoins a toxic waste site. Prior to the fall of 2007, it had no roof whatsoever.

Welcome Sign at Harrison County Dog Pound

It is often unmanned, which is part of the reason why they remain “high kill.” “It is difficult to rescue a dog from a dog pound facility when nobody is there on a regular basis during normal working hours. We brought our concerns to the County regarding the dog pound being unmanned. The County’s position is that it is not necessary. According to the Times Reporter newspaper, Assistant Prosecutor Michael Washington maintained, “…The dog drop-off area has to be checked only once every 24 hours”.

This is not acceptable. The animals are obviously not a priority at this pound. Robin McClelland, Ohio SPCA Eastern Counties Coordinator, has witnessed unsanitary conditions including dog feces discarded in empty dog food bags with used needles on the top in an area that is public accessible and eventually thrown into the same unlocked dumpster as the dead animal carcasses. She has witnessed new dogs entering the facility put into dirty cages covered in urine and feces where another dog had been. None of the bowls are washed regularly, if at all, and food is stored in rusty 55-gallon drums. The cost to pull a dog is a whopping $30, generally with no vaccinations, and spay/neuter is not an option. In short, Harrison continues to be a closed, locked, rescue unfriendly, and unmanned dog pound. Animals are not permitted to be posted on the Internet.

It is mind boggling that this operation flew under the radar for this extended period of time. It is confusing why this rural Appalachian County is anti-rescue, given the fact during a brief period from August 21, 2008 through October 26th, 2008, not one dog was put down due to rescue, and the county enjoyed more revenue during that period than they would see in an entire year from the sale of dog licenses and adoption fees. With the “winter wrap” still up in July, combined with no staff on site, these animals simply have little or no chance of being seen or adopted. Therefore, the Ohio SPCA was forced to file an extensive record request upon this County, requesting records for several years. In response, we received a mere 22 pages of documents. We will not rest until we have made a difference, through much needed reform. Please check back to see our progress.

After years of struggle, a variety of grassroots organizations have brought some needed change to this substandard dog pound, including spaying/neutering and rescue. Robin McClelland, Ohio SPCA Eastern Counties Coordinator, reports she has reason to believe that the kill rate may have been as high as 100% at one time. While Trumbull County has finally welcomed rescue efforts, there is much work to be done. Trumbull County appears to be without an active dog warden. The “acting dog warden”, James W. Keaton, is also the Director of the Human Resources Dept. for Trumbull County. Rather than finding the “dog warden” at the pound, you are more likely to find Mr. Keaton in a suit and tie behind a desk in his office.

Up until recently, had you visited this dog pound facility, you may have had an opportunity to view the infamous sofa, often combined with a napping employee, although there is little space for the actual dogs. While it has been reported that the Union has since removed the offensive sofa, for which we are grateful, the time for some serious reform has come. Furthermore, we have reason to believe the gas chamber has some issues that not only may cause safety concerns to employees and others, including visitors, it may also be contributing to a more horrendous death for those animals that have, and will continue, to end their lives in this antiquated gas box. We have received reports that dogs have been gassed, body-bagged and thrown into the dumpster, only to be retrieved later still alive, and gassed again.

The Ohio SPCA served the county with an extensive records request. The amount of documents provided in response to our request, which should have been voluminous, could literally be balanced on one’s little finger. This is not acceptable. We will continue to investigate new claims, as well as proceed with our efforts to rid the facility of the gas box and bring reform to this county dog pound.

Both Bo and Bella were brought into the Harrison County Dog Pound. Bo’s story is a happy ending, while Bella didn’t get a chance. She suffered alone and then died in a nasty rural county pound.

On a Thursday in late August, 2008, Bella, like Bo, was brought into the Harrison County Dog Pound by the dog warden.  She was unable to walk on her own and had to be carried.  Bella’s plight came to light when our volunteer downloaded routine dog photographs which were taken on Thursday, but not furnished to her until late Sunday night.  Alarmed and horrified, she immediately went to work on a plan for rescuing this poor gal once we could gain access to her.

There was no mention by the Warden that this dog was in such horrible condition.  Bella was found dead on Monday, having been left to suffer, untreated, from Thursday until she expired at the closed dog pound facility during the weekend.  There was no compassion or humane treatment given to Bella.  Unfortunately, help came too late for Miss Bella.

We rely on donations for vetting and emergency treatment for the animals, as well as routine operating expenses.  Seeking emergency vetting in rural Ohio may require a trip counties away to an animal hospital on a weekend. Support from a caring public is needed to support the efforts of the Ohio SPCA.

Carroll County has been gassing dogs for about a decade. Prior to that, they were simplyshooting the dogs in an open corral. This is rural dog pound unwilling to entertain other options of euthanizing animals by lethal injection.

This is Fritz on his graduation day from obedience school. Fritz traveled all the way from the Carroll County Dog Pound to his new forever home in Massachusetts.

In an attempt to achieve the needed change required to humanely euthanize, we have offered to go with the warden to the veterinarian of his choice to explore the use of lethal injection. He has not accepted our offer. “He appears to have lethal injection confused with intracardial injection”, states Robin McClelland, Ohio SPCA Eastern Counties Coordinator. In the fall of 2008, we served upon the Carroll County Commissioners our formal records request and are evaluating the voluminous materials supplied in response.

This is a county that works with rescue to an extent, (a rescuer’s access is limited and not available during all public access hours). The fact remains that without rescue efforts, Carroll County would most certainly revert back to the “high kill” facility they once were. The residents of the community adopt only a very small percentage of the dogs. With the drop off pens, Carroll County gets its share of owner surrenders and most likely from some of the surrounding counties that actually do charge a fee. Until the drop boxes are gone, Carroll County will continue to be known as “Owner Surrenderville.” We will continue our fight on behalf of the dogs that continue to suffer in the gas chamber.

A grassroots organization has generated a Petition, which we wholeheartedly endorse. Some drove from MA and NY for the presentation in January 2009 to the County Commissioners, which was also attended by Robin McClelland. It has been reported that no response from the County has been received to date. Therefore, the Petition effort continues, and you will find it at Petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/carroll-county-ohio-stop-the-gassing, and we encourage you to voice your opinion by signing it.

Bo received emergency and subsequental treatment for his many injuries and aliments, which included parvo and hospitalization. After a lengthy recovery period, today Bo is a healthy and happy neutered boy with little signs of the massive injuries he sustained. Thanks to the HarrisonCP virtual rescue group for all their efforts in raising much needed funding and a special thanks to LabMed, Inc. for their generous contribution!

Had the Ohio SPCA not shown up that day, Bo would have been left to suffer, from Monday until Thursday when he would have most certainly met his fate in a home-made gas box. Without donations for vetting, the financial burden would have been overly burdensome on the Ohio SPCA, but we would have somehow managed.

Update:

The director of the Ohio SPCA has requested an update from the Vinton County Dog Shelter manager. We are awaiting a response.

____________________________________________________________________________

We have a victory for the animals.

3/25/2002 UPDATE: The Vinton County Commissioners announced today, March 25, 2002, that no more dogs will be shot in Vinton County. Dog Warden Gary Barber has resigned effective today March 25. Ohio SPCA wants to thank everyone for writing and calling. This is a victory for the animals. We hope to see other major improvements in the way Vinton County Animal Control deals with homeless dogs. Ohio SPCA will continue to offer our help to the Vinton County Commissioners and to the new Dog Warden. This is a beginning in making Ohio a safe place for homeless animals. Please continue helping us and supporting our efforts. It takes all of us working together!

3/20/02

On Monday, March 18, Peggy Schroeder, our Vinton County Coordinator, reported that the freezer was full of blood-covered dogs that had been shot in the head and a bag of puppies. Behind the shelter were pools of blood where the dogs were tied to a fence and shot. The media was alerted and arrived without warning the next morning. We are convinced that this barbaric practice can be stopped in Ohio. Vinton County is not alone.

April 7, 2008

At the Morgan County Commissioner’s meeting today, a vote was taken to remove the dog warden, Jeff Driggs. In a 2-1 vote, the commissioners approved the removal of Driggs.  Driggs had until the end of the day to resign or be fired.
He resigned.

Press statement from the Ohio SPCA regarding the Morgan County Dog Pound

April 2, 2008

Ohio SPCA Executive Director, Teresa  Landon, and Ohio SPCA President, Ed Sisler, acting on a tip, made a gruesome discovery behind the Morgan County, Ohio dog shelter on Saturday, March 29,  2008. When they arrived at the run-down shelter, they noticed it was  eerily quiet – there were no dogs being housed in the old barn the county uses to keep stray and unwanted dogs.  When Landon and Sisler inspected the rear of the facility, they found mounds of fur, bones, and dog collars protruding from the ground.  As they moved the dirt aside on a freshly dug trench, they uncovered the bodies of adult dogs and puppies just inches below the surface.  On March 31, Sisler returned to the site and recovered the skulls of two dogs that had been shot.  The skulls are being examined at the Ohio State University in the Forensic Anthropology Department in order to determine when those dogs were shot.

The Ohio SPCA has  requested all public records pertaining to the Morgan County Dog Shelter, and will conduct a thorough investigation of those records.  Morgan County Dog Warden, Jeff Driggs, has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending further investigation by the Morgan County Commissioners.  Today, the EPA conducted their own investigation of the mass burial sites in order to determine the extent of any violations. They have determined that the county is in violation and will be cited for open dumping.

The Board of Directors of the Humane Society Serving  Clark County has agreed to assist the Ohio SPCA by housing dogs from  Morgan County while this situation is being addressed. The Ohio SPCA will be  working with the Clark County Humane Society to place these dogs into new forever homes. Some of these dogs may need medical treatment, so donations will be needed to assist with their care and medical needs.  Individuals wanting to adopt a Morgan County dog should contact the Clark County Humane Society at 937-399-2917.  Rescues interested in helping place dogs should contact Teresa Landon at 740-420-2984 or Krissi at 937-399-2917.

The Ohio SPCA has offered to assist in the training of a new dog warden and the proper operation of a county dog shelter.
The  public can help by voicing their outrage (politely)  and request for dog shelter reform by contacting the Morgan  County Commissioners.

Morgan County Commissioners
19 East Main Street
County Courthouse
McConnelsville,OH 43756-1100

Phone: (740)962-3183

* Rick Shriver – Presidentrick.shriver@morgancounty-oh.gov
* Dean Cain Commissioner
* Donald Reynolds Commissioner

News Stories of the Morgan County Dog Pound…

http://www.wbns10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2008/03/31/dogs.html?sid=102
http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-03-31-0021.html
http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-03-30-0017.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23885680/

]]> http://www.ohiospca.org/initiatives-by-county/morgan-county/morgan-county-dog-pound-run-down-dog-warden-fired/feed 2 http://www.ohiospca.org/initiatives-by-county/mercer-county-stops-gassing-and-improves-conditions http://www.ohiospca.org/initiatives-by-county/mercer-county-stops-gassing-and-improves-conditions#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:13:02 +0000 admin http://www.ohiospca.org/?p=71 Update: 2/2/08

Since September 2002, change was slow in this Mercer County and the Ohio SPCA still received complaints about crowded conditions and dogs attacking one another. Teresa Landon, Ohio SPCA director, recently received an update from Debra Farrell, Volunteer – Open Arms Pound Rescue of Ohio. There have been improvements to the facility and the dog warden, Tom Powell, goes out of his way to help save the dogs and work with rescues. Keep up the good work Mercer County!

Debra Farrell reports:

In addition to the pens he’s always had, Tom now has 11 new kennels on concrete inside his building.  He is AWESOME to work with rescues.  He will deliver dogs anywhere in the immediate area to help out a rescue.  For example, he will transport dogs from the pound to the vet clinic.  This is a wonderful help for out of the area rescues.

Since October of 2006, only approximately eight dogs from Mercer have been euthanized, and those were aggressive dogs.  ALL of the other dogs (so far) have gotten out to rescue, been adopted, or returned to their owners, thanks to Tom and a good group of rescue volunteers. Tom’s estimate of how many dogs moved out in 12 months was a minimum of 300.

Here is the deal…the vet clinic that does the I.V. euthanization gives the County a price break.  They charge only for the medicine used, and a very small office call charge.

Adopting out the dogs/sending them to rescue has increased the revenue for the pound.  Instead of spending money to euthanize them, they pull in the pound fee for each dog that goes out.  For example, instead of having to spend $10 a dog times 300 to kill them, they brought in whatever 300 times $22.00 is.  In other words, working to help the animals and cooperating with rescues is profitable.

Most politicians understand that.

Contact info:

Tom Powell, Mercer County Dog Warden
7009 St. Rt. 49
Celina, Ohio 45822
419 942 1550

We have another victory for the animals!

9/5/02

The Mercer County Commissioners announced today that dogs at the county pound will no longer be gassed in boxes using engine exhaust.

This was a long awaited decision and long overdue. Dogs will now be killed by lethal injection by a local veterinarian. Other improvements are also in progress. Injured animals will be transported directly to the veterinarian clinic, additional holding pens are being built, and signs are being posted for the pound.

We would like to thank the Mercer County Commissioners for taking the “high road”, considering more than just legal obligation, considering moral and ethical issues of the plight of the animals in Mercer County, and working with us to make these much needed changes.

2/04/08 The director of the Ohio SPCA, Teresa Landon, interviews Chris Troutman:

Teresa: Since the lawsuit, I know that you have been working to make things better. We would like to know about the changes and current status regarding euthanization, adoption process and statistics, hours, etc. so that we can put the improvements on our web site. Has anyone been trained in lethal injection or are you still gassing?

Chris: I was trained in humane lethal injection this past March. I am proud to say we are no longer a gassing facility and will never be again. I put very few animals to sleep and by the grace of God, I have put NO adoptable animals to sleep. Our petfinder site, http://www.adams.petfinder.com/, will speak to the number of animals we are working to save. We now vaccinate, worm, and treat our dogs with loving care. We have a washer and dryer so we can have blankets. We have medicines, toys, nice bowls, and even a computer system! We do our best to maintain the hours required in the court order. We have more than proved that we have made the changes and are working for the animals and the community.

We now do a food outreach program and I travel to Columbus on a regular basis to load food so that we can share. We are feeding so many animals and helping our senior citizens, police depts., and low income families feed their pets.

Teresa: I’m assuming that the court order is being followed and that old, sick, and young puppies are not gassed.

Chris: Since I joined the pound when the old dog warden died, I can assure you there was NEVER any sick, young, pregnant or old dogs gassed. We worked (and still work with for other needs) with Dr. Bailey, and he handled these needs for us. Dr. Bailey does not put healthy dogs to sleep and neither do I. We work that much harder to find rescues and homes.

Teresa: Do you interview adopters, check references or vet history? Any spay/neuter requirements?

Chris: We have minimal adopter requirements other than a personal interview, an adoption fee that seems to keep the rift raft at bay and we do require a spay/neuter agreement. With rescues we require a vet reference, copy of adoption application, and petfinder/adoption site prior to dogs leaving our pound. I am hard nosed about where our dogs go. Death is not the worst thing that can happen to a dog. Last year our goal of dismantling the gas chamber was reached, this year our goal is to have every dog that leaves ACDP spayed/neutered. Large goals for a little pound.

Teresa: We would also like to know what obstacles you still face, the improvements you need, and how the public can help you.

Chris: We still are working in a run-down, antiquated dark, cold, and wet building. We get very little money as our budget is bare bones; we have only one full-time employee, one part-time employee and a couple of fantastic volunteers that pull us along. We need a new building and it looks like our newly formed humane society will provide that late this year. The public can help us by spaying/neutering their pets; reaching out to their neighbors with the same message; and helping others who have pets but limited funds (share a bag of dog of cat food, offer $$ for spay/neuter, etc.). We need volunteers to help us at the low cost spay/neuter clinics (RASCAL) we host almost monthly. The endless hours that go into this most needed program are provided by our humane society members. Additionally, our humane society has donated thousands of dollars to vet animals. We need volunteers, workers, transporters, and foster homes.

Teresa: I know that there is a lot of animal cruelty in Adams County. How have you faired as the humane officer? It’s not an easy job.

Chris: This is a tough job. I often want to throw in the towel. Seems no matter what I do, it is not enough. I also get so many nonsense calls, such a waste of my time. I don’t have the hours I’d like to dedicate to this job, but I also don’t have the $$ needed to run all over the county, burning up my own gas in my own truck, and then there is the problem of where animals go when they are taken? Everyone wants me to fix the problems, but no one wants to get involved to help. I’m sure you understand what I am saying.

I hope this gives you some insight on what we have done and are now doing. Known as the “little pound that could” we just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Press Releases

2004

The Ohio SPCA is proud to announce the result of a lawsuit which its predecessor, the Ohio Humane Education Association, filed against the Board of Commissions of Adams County, Ohio and the Adams County, Ohio Dog Warden. In a judgment agreed upon by the Board of Commissioners and the Dog Warden and entered by the Court, Adams County agreed to the following:

1) Shooting dogs as a routine method of euthanasia, or on the basis that they have cancer, parvo and/or mange, violates Ohio. Adams County agreed to refrain from engaging in such conduct in the future.

2) Using carbon monoxide gas, even in a commercially-manufactured gas chamber, to euthanize puppies under 16 weeks of age, dogs with respiratory ailments, and elderly dogs violates Ohio law. Adams County agreed to refrain from gassing any more such dogs.

3) Lack of signs identifying, and negligible open hours at a County dog pound interfere with the rights of citizens to claim their pets or other animals and violates Ohio law. Adams County agreed to post conspicuous signs identifying the pound and to expand the open hours there.

4) Adams County also agreed to institute new procedures at the pound to ensure that dogs are kept for a minimum of 72 hours before they are euthanized, as generally required by Ohio law. This represents a substantial victory for the dogs of Adams County and, indeed, throughout Ohio!

Please click here to see a full copy of the Consent Judgment Entry from this case.
For Immediate Release
August 30, 2003 Contact: Teresa Turner
(614) 875-1810
OHEA@columbus.rr.com
www.ohiohumaneeducation
Ohio Humane Education Association Files Suit to Halt
Unlawful Dog Killings in Adams County

Columbus, Ohio – A pet dog, killed by Adams County Dog Warden Gary Jordan, within one day after being seized from its family’s yard, is one of the many animals on whose behalf the Ohio Humane Education Association (OHEA) is filing suit against the Adams County Commissioners and the dog warden. The suit states that Jordan has repeatedly failed to comply with Ohio law requiring dogs to be held for at least 72 hours before they are destroyed – and that county commissioners have failed to compel the dog warden’s compliance with that law. Also noted in the suit is Jordan’s practice of shooting dogs, which OHEA alleges violates Ohio law requiring humane euthanization methods that immediately and painlessly render the dog initially unconscious. The suit further notes OHEA’s repeated offers, since 2002, to assist Adams County in ensuring compliance with Ohio law. “The bottom line,” says Teresa Turner, OHEA Director, “is that despite all our efforts, we believe dogs in Adams County are still being treated terribly. We felt we had no choice but to take legal action.” If the Fourth District Court of Appeals finds in favor of OHEA, the pound could be required to, among other things, stop shooting and gassing dogs and to hold dogs for the required time before killing them. Turner says that a finding in favor of OHEA would represent “a real victory for the animals-for those who cannot help themselves.”

Shooting and Gassing in Adams County

The following statistics were gathered from available records obtained from an Adams County resident. When OHEA requested the information, we were denied. However, our attorney has since then received requested records.

**These are approximate numbers as some records were missing**

In 2001, 803 dogs were impounded, 36 were reclaimed by their owners and only 3 were adopted or sold. Records show that 75 dogs were shot on site and that 949 dogs were gassed. The question of where the additional 260 gassed dogs came from has not been answered. In dog warden Gary Jordan’s hand written records, on March 19, 2002 eleven dogs were shot in an old barn on private property. He had written that these dogs were wild and mean, although somehow they stayed in the barn while being killed.

On April 12, 2002, two county coordinators from OHEA went to the pound to speak with Mr. Jordan and witness the conditions of the building. Not only did Mr. Jordan deny them entrance into the pound but he also refused to speak with them. The smell of death and dog waste was overwhelming even from outside the pound.
This dumpster is located in Adams County. We’re supposed to be a civilized society and yet we dump companion animals like trash. This is the new home found by most pets discarded at shelter doors and on streets by irresponsible and uncaring people.

There are no posted hours for the dog pound.
However, there is a sign posted,
“Authorized Personnel Only”
PLEASE CALL OR WRITE THE LEGISLATORS AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LISTED BELOW. Request that the shooting and gassing of dogs stop immediately and be replaced with lethal injection. Evening and weekend hours are needed so dogs can be claimed and adopted.

SENATORS:

Senator Doug White
Senate Building
Room #220, Second Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8082
FAX: (614) 466-7018

Representative:
Dennis Stapleton
77 South High Street
13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111

Telephone: (614) 466-3506
Fax: (614) 644-9494

County Commissioners:
Adams County
110 West Main Street
West Union , OH 45693-1395

Phone: (937) 544-3286
Fax: (937) 544-5992

Bill Seaman – President
John Cluxton
Roger Rhonemus

Hundreds of dogs taken from a Pike County puppy mill weekend are on the road to recovery Monday morning.The cocker spaniels were brought the Gahanna Animal Hospital for treatment over the weekend.

Veterinarians say the four male puppies, all brothers, were malnourished, severely under weight and didn’t know how to respond to human contact.

The two adult female cocker spaniels acted the same way and were also under weight, starving and needed medical attention.

Dr. Joy Harkins says it’s hard to see dogs brought to her in this condition.

“[I am] more saddened and disappointed. Unfortunately these things happen and people are more interested in making money than caring about animals, which are really the innocent people on earth that need to be looked after,” says Harkins.

Since the dogs are still part of an investigation, they won’t be available for foster homes for a couple of weeks. If you do want to become a foster parent, contact the Ohio SPCA