IACC defends dragging of dog by neck

In response to an official letter of complaint filed to the IACC advisory board on July 4th, IACC adminstrator issued the results of their internal investigation. You may read the full text of the letter here, but the specific allegation read as follows:

"While cleaning, a few of us were alarmed by the cries of a dog in the hallway. We looked out the open door into the hallway to see a group of 3 people dragging a dog using some kind of pole device with a noose around the dog's neck. Since Receiving Room is next door to euthanasia, it was certain that the dog was headed to euthanasia. The dog was thrashing, barking and crying and was panicked such that he/she trailed urine and feces down the hallway."

Their response, issued through IACC advisory board chairman Warren Patitz, reads as follows:

From: "Talley, Steve" <STALLEY@indygov.org>
Subject: Investigation into Allegations of Animal Cruelty at IACCD
Date: Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:52:03 +0000

I have completed the investigation into allegations of animal cruelty at IACCD. I found the staff members involved in that incident on July 1, 2008 used only the force necessary to contain and transfer that animal from one area of the facility to another. I also found the use of that device "Stick" was required in that instance to insure the safety of our employees, the safety of visitors to our shelter, and that animal itself or other animal that might be entering the hallways.  
 
Steve Talley, Administrator
Indianapolis Animal Care And Control
Office (317) 327-1388
Fax    (317) 327-1390
Stalley@indygov.org

So, despite always having the option to chemically sedate animals prior to killing (which is strongly supported by Public Safety Director Newman), IACC believes that dragging an animal by the neck, causing so much terror that the animal defecates and urinates is necessary force.

Nowhere in the reply from Administrator Talley was there any mention made to any investigation into the maggot-infested kitten with the broken legs that had been languishing in their facility for days before we discovered it in the reveiving room. Perhaps only being a kitten, it doesn't merit any further discussion to them?

Perhaps working in a shelter hardens a person to the point where they are immune to the screams of terrified animals, and the horror experienced by a dog dragged by his neck some 40 feet down a hallway. This forces me to ask the following questions:

• If someone is so immune that they find this indignity preferable to applying chemical sedation, do we really want them handling animals?
  
• Does a facility and system that supports this behavior with Indianapolis tax money really express the will and interest of the taxpayers?
  
• Does anyone really believe that dragging a terrified animal is preferable to handling a sleeping, sedated animal?

Although this is sadly the response that was expected from their internal investigation, this is not acceptable. It does not embody humane treatment in a home, or on the streets, and certainly not within city's own animal shelter. 

In their 2007 Annual Report, they stated that one of their goals was to become a "world class" shelter. The handling of the ugliest, meanest, most fractious dog would demonstrate to me how a shelter really "thinks" and "feels" as an organization. Not what is stated in their policies, but what they actually do to the lowliest, most difficult animal. Do they treat the animal with respect? Do they show it compassion? That's what I believe a world class shelter would do. Never in a world class shelter would rough, angry or abusive treatment be tolerated, let alone supported. Indianapolis Animal Care & Control seems to be steadfastly maintaining the status quo...the mentality that has been present since they were called Dog Catchers.

I believe that until the attitudes have changed in the IACC organization from top to bottom, they should not be allowed to have the word "Care" in their name. This is shameful and disgraceful.