We, the undersigned, are writing to demand the immediate removal of Kathleen Labrada from her position as Chief of Shelter Operations and Enforcement at Miami Dade Animal Services.

Ms. Labrada has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of concern for animal welfare and a failure to fulfill her duties as a voice for the voiceless. Her disregard for the defenseless animals under her care cannot go unnoticed any longer.

We are particularly concerned with her actions in the recent "doodle abuse case." Despite overwhelming evidence of animal cruelty and neglect, Ms. Labrada has dismissed these concerns and even went so far as to claim that the animals were not victims of abuse. This is unacceptable.

Moreover, Ms. Labrada has failed to take action against those who harm and neglect animals, which is a clear violation of her job responsibilities. In the case of the doodles, she chose to return them to their abusers, despite clear evidence of mistreatment and suffering.

Attached is a generic email received by dozens of people from Kathleen Labrada in response to their concerns about the mishandling of the “Doodle abuse case” :

“From: "Labrada, Kathleen R. (ASD)" <Kathleen.Labrada@miamidade.gov>

Date: April 4, 2023 at 4:22:29 PM EDT

Good afternoon,

Thank you for submitting one of dozens of form letters received in reference to the Goldendoodles impounded by the Animal Services Department on April 3, 2023. The facts surrounding this case are that the animals were not victims of animal cruelty. The Animal Services Department took temporary custody of four of the five adult dogs the owner requested assistance with due to personal issues. The owner of the dogs reclaimed them from the shelter the same day, there was nothing to lawfully prohibit the owner from taking possession of her property. 

The allegation that police failed to take action due to dogs being classified as property is false. Police are absolutely able to take action under Florida statutes related to animal cruelty, had there been any evidence of animal abuse or cruelty an arrest would have been made. Additionally, the reference to illegal breeding is a baseless allegation as the breeding of dogs is not unlawful in Miami-Dade County.

The Animal Services Department is following up with the owner to ensure compliance with orders to provide care. The dogs are not living in a van, the owner and the dogs are staying locally with a family member until their move out of state is finalized.

Thank you for the opportunity to clarify the events that took place.

Kathleen Labrada, Assistant Director 

Humane Law Enforcement and Operations

Miami-Dade County Animal Services 

Pet Adoption and Protection Center 

3599 NW 79th Avenue, Doral, Florida 33122” 

Kathleen Labrada begins by dismissing people’s concerns. She proceeds to claim the dogs in question were not victims of animal cruelty, that the owner requested assistance from animal services to retrieve the dogs due to personal issues & that the allegation that police failed to take action due to dogs being classified as property is false. Kathleen is bluntly trying sweep the situation under the rug. 

An investigation was never even started into these people or this case by MDAS’s part.

There are witnesses to the police being called to a Walmart by alarmed costumers who noticed Carlos V. & Susett G. selling doodles out of a Uhaul in the parking lot. It was 82 degrees outside, there were roughly 18 dogs inside the hot van, all sizes, color & ages. 

There are witnesses & photos that show the dogs heartbreaking condition. The police did nothing, they didn’t even ran the uhauls license plate if so they would have discovered it had been reported stolen.

A good samaritan was able to adquiere 4 of the dogs because she simply couldn’t walk away from the haunting scene. The vet records of these 4 dogs show they were malnourished, infested with parasites (hook worm) suffered from kennel cough & where very badly matted with feces stuck in their fur. 

Kathleen states Susett G. Asked animal services to take the dogs due to personal reasons those reasons being her husband Carlos was being arrested for theft auto & drug possession and the stolen uhual in which they lived in with the dogs was being impounded. There are msgs that Susett sent our rescue group frantic asking for help because animal services was confiscating her dogs & Carlos was being arrested. She asked us to please call animal services and get the dogs from them, she was worried they where going to be put down. She never mentioned or suggested she had requested for animal services to take the dogs for safe keeping. 

Our rescue group has been able to save 14 dogs so far.  MDAS had the last remaining 4 in their custody and choose to return the dogs to their abusers, to the same people responsible for their mistreatment in less that 6hrs without conducting a thorough investigation. 

We have records showing animal services was aware of the dogs condition & did nothing. These innocent animals have been subjected to a life of suffering, being confined to a small space and living in filth. We can't sit idly by and allow this to continue to happen. 

We ask that Kathleen Labrada be removed as Chief of operations & enforcement at Miami Dade Animal Services. We ask the remaining 4 dogs be removed & placed with a rescue while a an investigation into Carlos V & Susett G Is opened. 

Doodle Abuse Case link https://nextdoor.com/p/NTL2DSTZtsF7?utm_source=share&extras=Mjc2MTYyNzU%3D