Citizens urged to help stop animal mistreatment at city shelter

Following numerous firsthand observations of animal care & treatment violations at Indianapolis Animal Care & Control (IACC) which were dismissed by IACC Administrator Steve Talley, a group of citizens has prepared an official grievance to be filed with the IACC Advisory Board for hearing/resolution at the IACC board meeting scheduled for 6pm, August 13th at the IACC shelter, 2600 S. Harding Street.

The observations included debilitated animals being deprived of relief for serious injuries, rampant disease,  deplorable housing and sanitation and cruel treatment of animals in the care of the city's animal division. The official response indicate that these observed situations are within the scope of their normal treatment of animals in their custody, and as such, no further investigation or discussion was necessary.

Everyone is encouraged to read the letter of grievance and consider adding your signature before the official submission date of August 11th. Although anyone who reads of the conditions at the shelter will likely be disgusted and appalled, Indianapolis taxpayers should be especially disturbed to know that their tax money is going to operate the shelter that so brazenly operates in violation of Indianapolis law, and with such a gross disregard for the care & treatment of animals.

Even if you're not able to or comfortable with signing the letter, you are encouraged to attend the board meeting on Wednesday, August 13th, to let the city know that they cannot continue to simply dismiss mistreatment of animals by claiming it's just the way they do things. The city will no doubt offer myriad excuses and justifications for why they need to maintain the status quo. The mistreatment of animals at IACC can only be stopped when people raise their voices and insist that it be stopped!

This situation doesn't just affect unfortunate, "street animals," but could well affect your beloved pets. Bear in mind that many of the animals at IACC come in as strays, which are often times pets that have simply wandered away from their homes. Would you like your pet ending up at IACC if he/she wanders away from your yard, only to be treated cruelly, deprived of clean housing, food and water, or even worse??

If you get bad service at a city office, you can complain. Even inmates in correctional facilities have some recourse for mistreatment. The animals have no voice, and no recourse. They get no chance to complain and have no advocate to ensure they are treated humanely and with dignity. Only your help can change this!