Where, as in the movie Groundhog Day, people and animals are “doomed to spend the rest of eternity in the same place, seeing the same people do the same thing EVERY day.”
On September 05, 2018, the director of Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS), Jackie Rose, responded to the second poor audit report by announcing that MCAS was “working” to correct the severe problems identified by the audits and that the agency has been long aware of the work that must be done, claiming that the agency had met or was working on “79 percent of the auditor's 2016 recommendations.”
Whatever Ms. Rose may claim about her awareness and continuing work, nothing has improved under her management. The public records and citizen reports confirm that “the same people do the same thing” every day. The absence of animal enrichment efforts continues. “Enrichment” can’t be provided with a Kong in every kennel and a scratching post for every cat. What is needed is a stress-free welcoming environment providing walks, pats, and a kind tone. That remains absent. No progress has been made. And the animals continue to suffer.
MCAS lacks empathy and has exhibited an absolute failure to understand and plan for the demographics it serves as the only public shelter in Multnomah County. Most of the unredeemed stray animals are impounded in the areas of deepest poverty. Most enforcement citations and penalties are issued to the poor. Unlike other progressive shelters, MCAS has no pet retention programs. These are some of the problems facing the agency.
Failure to meet the needs of its Demographics
Multnomah’s public shelter demographic is disproportionately represented by animals and persons in need, often in crisis, poor or homeless, presenting with problems that are magnified by notices of infraction and fines and redemption fees unaffordable to many. MCAS’ 51% owner redemption rate for dogs pales to insignificance when compared to other local agencies such as neighboring (and far less generously funded) Washington County Dog Services’ 67% rate. The evidence can be seen in the most recent records. Life is made difficult if you are poverty stricken and they come for your companion dog. What follows are case examples, few among the many. They are not “isolated” cases.
Failure to meet the needs of senior citizens on low incomes
Alfred, is a blind 14-year-old poodle mix impounded by MCAS on September 24, 2018 when the apartment manager failed to recognize him as a senior citizen tenant’s dog. Upon realizing that he had a dedicated owner, the manager called the county the same day and was told there would be an impound fee that the owner could not afford. Then the saga of trying to bring Alfred back home again began.
No offer to reach out to the owner was made. MCAS just moved on with its daily stray dog protocol pattern. Alfred was put through the behavior test on September 28, adopted September 29, and returned the following day on September 30, for “whining and barking when left alone.” He was placed back up in the adoption page. A good Samaritan, aware of his plight, called the apartment manager, located the name and address of his owner, and then contacted the county commissioner for the district, requesting that she facilitate a return of this old dog to his owner. The first report back to the senior owner was that Alfred had died while at the agency. That was wrong but Alfred did have severe kennel cough. Wary of the commissioner’s involvement, MCAS returned the dog, claiming credit for all that the Samaritan had done. Alfred’s stay at MCAS caused him and his owner serious physical illness and emotional stress that could have been easily avoided just by caring about public service and the needs of fragile citizens.
Making it hard on homeless and fragile persons in crisis when “Where is the money” is the first concern.
Madeline, an emotional support Chihuahua, belongs to a psychologically fragile homeless person who in the past year has experienced several successive hospitalizations, most recently on September 13. When she came to reclaim her dog on September 19, she was turned away with the official statement that “Since Jammie had no money and has 2 [prior] payment plans, I requested she return with some money to reclaim Madeline, and I would waive 1-day board. Jammie said she would be back on Thursday 9/20 with $5.” Jammie scraped up the $5 ransom and returned. A poverty stricken psychologically frail homeless person was taught an “object” lesson.
But the lesson cost more than $5. Those without private transportation, most often poor, and/or disabled have proven difficulties getting to MCAS’s Troutdale location. The journey takes 2-3 hours each way on public transportation by MAX train or bus. The county’s only “public shelter” needs to be but is not where the people are. In 2008, it was noted that 84% of MCAS’s population came from Portland. The shelter plans to continue to be located far away from those it serves.
Boomer, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever was impounded on September 28, 2018 when his owner, a senior citizen, was hospitalized and then moved to assisted living. She would not be coming home again. On the same day, September 28, 2018, the owner’s sister called MCAS reporting that the owner was in care and unable to redeem Boomer herself, that she too was worried about costs but would see what she could arrange for her hospitalized sister. The only MCAS response was: “there could be the possibility of a fee reduction if she qualified.”
Unstated was the fact that the possibility of a fee reduction was small or non-existent. The standard MCAS policy is that no fee reduction is permitted to those who come as proxies. One day later, on September 29, the day after the telephone call from the sister seeking redemption help, MCAS records report that:
- “09/29 Called [the home telephone number for the hospitalized owner who was clearly not “home”]. Left message with Animal ID, Hold time, Shelter Number and said to call us back with any questions or to reclaim come to the shelter with proof of ownership, Photo ID, and fees will apply.” (emphasis added).
Family circumstances and crises don’t interrupt the county’s singular, self-absorbed goal: the trains must run on time. Life and citizens’ needs cannot get in the way. The lack of empathy demonstrated in this response for a citizen in crisis and the refusal to take the time needed for humane problem solving characterize almost every new policy directive from the Director Rose. The vulnerable get left behind. Too bad for them.
MCAS has a social civic duty as a public county agency to refer owners in need to options for care for their dogs and themselves. Don’t just walk away after issuing a “no license” ticket. If someone is clearly struggling don’t just “educate them” about “minimum care requirements for Multnomah county” and depart. If they are not connected to social services and have a need, alert them to sources for help. That does not happen.
On June 18, 2018, a concerned citizen reported that “a beagle – mix dog is being kept inside alone for days at a time without anyone checking on it,” adding that the “home is not air conditioned and there is mold visible on the front door” and that “the owner has been gone since Saturday and just returned today (Monday) at noon.” Noting that food and fresh water were available and that “minimum care” standards had not been violated, the responding officer reported the need to purchase a license and “educated” the owner about the minimum standards of care for Multnomah county which she was already with great effort meeting. There was no “education” about services available to low income persons, no mention of the PAW Team for veterinary care, the Pongo Fund for dog food; or social services for help with the mold that might compromise her health. MCAS has wholly disconnected itself from other agencies and non-profit support groups that serve impoverished populations and are critical to a public shelter’s success.
Failure to seek and to utilize and professional expertise needed for a public shelter population cost compassion and lives
The population “served” by MCAS is most like that of an inner-city hospital. It is the place of last resort as an “open admissions” public shelter for the county and the city of Portland. MCAS can either honor its demographic requirements and rise to become a “premier agency” or continue to fail. Unlike animals accepted at private humane societies, animals from poor areas often arrive at MCAS emotionally traumatized and at times with serious physical injuries. These conditions require expertise. None exists at MCAS under Ms. Rose’s direction.
What MCAS lacks could be provided from outside the shelter’s walls. Unfortunately, no outside behavior expertise is sought. Improved care cannot occur without education and expert participation. Ignorance costs lives. Nothing new is ever gained by killing for want of knowledge.
Dr. Christopher Pachel, a diplomate in veterinary behavioral medicine, one of the few credentialed diplomates with an advanced veterinary behavior medicine degree in the country, once attended meetings twice monthly at MCAS and was available to staff for assistance, all for a very nominal retainer. That no longer occurs. The door to expertise has been closed. Instead, “canine specialists” with limited knowledge and backgrounds have replaced a critically needed asset. This change has nothing to do with costs. It results from management preferences for ignorance, a refusal to learn anything new, and acceptance of unnecessary killing.
Very few dogs are truly “unsafe.” That is a misnomer. Agency generated stress and careless or ignorant practices create safety issues. The label “unsafe” reflects the level of staff training and education and a refusal to accept outside professional input. It is not about the dog.
Dale, an injured pit bull about 8 years old, was taken to care at Dove Lewis Emergency Veterinary Hospital on September 13, 2018. He was seriously injured with his “ear ripped off, and head wounds,” After he was stabilized the next day, Dale was transferred to MCAS, where on further examination it was noted that, although able to eat and drink, his tongue had been severed. After the agency’s behavior assessment on September 19, a test he was required to “pass,” he went into foster care with a family that had 2 other dogs.
When a dog’s history is unknown and includes known serious physical abuse and significant emotional trauma, a graduated professional incremental program is critical to maximize success. The program can be carried out by a trained foster or experienced rescue and should be designed to set both dog and person up for success. But that did not happen. On the day following placement, the foster reported a scuffle between one of her dogs and Dale over a toy found in the yard. Dale was re-injured, his wounds to his face and ear were reopened and further emergency care at Dove Lewis was needed.
At that point in time any professional would have stepped back and created a new plan for Dale’s environment. MCAS did not. On September 29, the foster reported that while playing ball
- “as I leaned down to pick up the ball, Dale jumped and mouthed my neck. It not hurt or break the skin. I really felt like he was just excited. We continued playing ball with no more incidents.”
The foster decided to put Dale into “sit-stay” training to teach Dale to wait before seeking the ball and avoid another jumping/mouthy incident. It worked. A solution had been found. Nevertheless, MCAS ordered Dale back to the shelter and immediately killed him despite the written reports from the family about his gentleness, and his grace in acceptance of being spoon fed. Dale was not at all food aggressive; he slept on their bed. The “sit/stay” plan had worked.
MCAS killed Dale for “height seeking behavior” when ball retrieving despite the foster’s clear report that she was bending down to get the ball when the incident happened. There was no aggressive behavior. None of Dale’s other behaviors suggested dominance, only submission and docility. The one dog fight over a stuffed dog toy found in the yard lasted a minute. Only he was hurt. MCAS gave that dog fight as a second reason death and sacrificed his life out of catastrophic fantasies contradicted by the foster’s narrative itself. MCAS killed Dale out of entitled arrogance, reactivity, and unchecked ignorance, never once consulting available experts. The decision-making process for animal dispositions excludes all professionals and trainers in the community. To keep control, Jackie Rose has all life and death decisions made by in house management, primarily administrative and enforcement staff. Even animal care staff who work with and see animals daily are excluded from any participation. Other views that might challenge her control are “unsafe.”
Dale had the briefest moment to know love and kindness with his foster family. In the few days he lived with them, they were making all the thoughtful necessary adjustments before MCAS intervened. What Director Rose does best is to destroy compassion with an iron fist. Never are expert opinions sought. If she does not “feel good” about the dog, killing is the solution. The world runs according to her wishes, not this communities’ values and compassion.
The majority of animals at MCAS are afraid. Liability waivers designed to protect the agency are a required part of every finalized adoption. The newly adopted shelter dog a citizen is taking home leaves as a tiny four-legged felon. The waivers include warnings about perceived “handling sensitivities;” “Jumpy/mouthy/hyper;” and “fear.” The reality is that these are all temporary reactions to agency generated stress, including the manner in which frightened animals are tested over and over again with escalating intrusions intended to see what it takes to make a dog snap (one example: push head out of bowl while a dog is trying to eat). Puppies are tested. Ill dogs are tested; so too are the injured and physically handicapped despite the fact that these are all factors that compromise valid findings and can only be lessened by a humane environment that Director Rose refuses to create.
What MCAS causes cannot be “cured’ by a Kong in every kennel. While on Intake the dogs are isolated. There is no socialization. The noise level is considered so “unsafe” that visitors are offered ear plugs to abide by OSHA requirements. Lights blaze all night for security purposes lest someone try to break in and steal a stray dog. The conditions at MCAS can break the gentlest dog. A dog’s first experience with any human being after impound is in the BA room when they are “evaluated.” No wonder the animals are scared. The rule is “What does it take to make the dog crack? How far can we intrude? How can we indemnify ourselves against dog behavior?” MCAS does not ask how it can help set a dog up for success in a new home. The burden falls on the dog’s capacity to tolerate rude intrusions. MCAS creates the stress and then advances “cures” in the form of individual “behavior modification programs” limited to teaching volunteers, for example, how to leash and walk a scared dog by giving treats, normal activities that should be available to all dogs. The overall stress that leads to fear is not addressed.
Jenna, a small terrified rat terrier confiscated from an abandoned house was an emergency boarding with known owners. She was processed quickly after impoundment on September 14, 2018 and “tested” two days afterwards, long before the five day hold on September 16. with the following recorded entries:
- “Frozen in dog bed. Picked up and carried to BA room.” Shaking, no interest shown throughout test.” Move to adoptions. Adult only home; Dog allows handling/no signs of enjoyment/stiff/no eye contact. Unable to see true personality.” Fear waiver.”
There was no regard for this small traumatized dog. She had to be processed because the goal is moving dogs out fast down the assembly line to a disposal set point.
Annabelle, is a middle-aged female pit bull dragged roughly into the agency on September 23, 2018 by owners tired of her. Tested on September 27th the notes read as follows:
- “Easy to leash…then refused to walk. Fit with harness and tried to coax her, She would not budge and then layed [sic] down…Tried to gently push her back end and she head whipped…Found several broken and warn down teeth. [Shelter manager] took over so I could continue with BAs’.”
Delilah, a 5-year-old anxious Yorkshire/Terrier poodle given up by her owner on September 14, 2018, because she was moving and could not take Delilah with her. MCAS described Delilah’s fear upon entering the agency as “undersocialization.” She was just scared and far from home. She was “tested” on September 22, with the following note:
- “Retreated for attempts to leash, snapping and trying to bite when wrapping in blanket. Calmed once in my arms. Stiff and shaking carried to BA room.”
No one can properly assess a terrified dog’s usual temperament but that is not MCAS’s goal. Running the dogs through the system, then getting them on the “floor” and aiming for a ‘high live release” is worth sacrificing the animal. It is perversely twisted around. The animals serve the agency, not the other way around.
MCAS could operate as a shelter without walls by rapidly moving animals to rescues with the time and experience to care. But that doesn’t happen. Since the new director Jackie Rose took charge, rescues must wait for “invitations” to rescue while all the time witnessing animals killed that they could have saved. Rescues are not part of reviews and decisions. Only Jackie Rose may decide. In 2014, 372 dogs went to rescues; in 2016 that figure was down to 135. The only explanation for this decline, for this failure to take advantage of local resources, is poor leadership.
Nothing has changed at MCAS since the 2016 audit or the 2018 audit and nothing will improve on the current course. The stress experienced by animals and staff alike are the result of all the new policies and practices touted as “progress.” MCAS operates in a culture of fear and suspicion where “outsiders” are unwelcome and stray dogs are viewed as potential dangers, hazards and liabilities. The existing culture pervades staff and volunteers. Every minor negative reaction a dog has while housed in a hostile environment is recorded as if it were a “misdemeanor” (lifted lip at me; snapped), stored, counted, and then used as justification for a death sentence. Only a small contingency of management staff is permitted to be part of the decision making and secretive Shelter Review disposition process. No notes are kept. Animals are on trial for their lives. The fact that these behaviors are correctable, often stress related, and directly attributable to failed animal welfare conditions MCAS itself generates is ignored. MCAS takes no responsibility for the culture it creates. The system is closed to input. You are either “in” or “out.” There is little real and genuine outreach into the community at large. MCAS does not serve.
What happened yesterday will continue to happen tomorrow. And it’s Groundhog Day, again.
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Dale’s Public Records:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T8zvw6x13oPirpCa0Uv-X7qNPWOuTL4U