Diane Summers is sad - Well, so am I
Diane Summers (OCAS Division Manager) in a recent reply to an email about the conditions and euthanasia practice said the she was “sad to read the email” and that OCAS “explores every possible avenue” to avoid euthanizing any animal.
Diane,
I am sad that I have to write to commissioners to beg them to save the lives of cats and dogs.
I am sad to hear about the killing of Sampson who was euthanized despite the fact that he had his adopter ready to take him home and sign any paperwork necessary to release OCAS from any liability.
I am sad that Diesel got in trouble after biting a volunteer and subsequently was deemed so dangerous that he had to be euthanized despite the fact that a rescue was willing and able to get him into a training facility to work on his behavioral issues.
Diane,
Euthanizing a dog when an adopter is ready to take him home or a rescue is diligently working to find a solution does not sound like exploring every possible option to avoid euthanizing animals.
Diane,
Back in April your Facebook page posted that Diesel had quickly become your staff’s favorites and showed a video of him in the yard. This shows that this dog became dangerous in YOUR care.
OCAS has failed these two dogs in many different ways. Both dogs got in trouble when staff/volunteers were trying to put the noose on them to take them out of the kennel or walk them to the yard. Maybe that says something about the training of staff and volunteers.
How is it possible that a volunteer is send to handle a dog (Diesel) when he is deemed dangerous and having behavioral issues?
Is Diane Summers not willing or unable to implement policies to protect animals, staff, and volunteers?
I am sad that Diane Summers lies to Orange County tax payers. She states that OCAS was open to options for Diesel. Diane Summers claims in in an email response to one of the people who signed this petition, that they look for every available option prior to euthanizing a dog. Pittie Party of Central Florida was willing to pull Diesel and get him the training he needed before going to a foster and a furever home. But she did not allow them to pull Diesel because they are not a rescue partner!!
Why are there not more rescue partners at OCAS? Why just kill him, when there was an alternative??
Why does Diane Summers get to decide who lives and dies?
Is it OCAS policy to “know best”?
Why did Diane Summers not give Diesel another chance?
Can you please tell me how this happy dog with his sister Bella playing and having fun became so aggressive while in the care of Diane Summers and OCAS???
Well, my theory is a lack of stimulus, optimal play yards, lack of experienced dog handlers, inexperienced volunteers, and lack of a full-time behaviorist. Diesels deterioration from a fun loving, happy, running around the play yard dog to a dog so aggressive that he had to be euthanized is completely on the shoulders of OCAS!!!
How is this OK? How are we as a community and our commissioners allowing this to continue???
Why has OCAS not hired a full-time trainer for behavior issues?
Please continue to share the petition and email, post on social media, and make phone calls to our Orange County Mayor and commissioners demanding change to OCAS management, process and policy change, euthanasia transparency, and of course the need for a state-of-the-art Shelter with a full time behaviorist and a Veterinarian clinic that can handle all types of animal care and emergencies.
Please also visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfShelterDogs) for more info, videos, and picture of dogs that are in dire need of help.
1. Diane Summers (Shelter Manager) - Diane.Summers@ocfl.net
2. Jerry Demmings (Mayor) - mayor@ocfl.net
3. Nicole Wilson (Commissioner) - District1@ocfl.net
4. Christine Moore (Commissioner) - District2@ocfl.net
5. Mayra Uribe (Commissioner) - District3@ocfl.net
6. Maribel Gomez Cordero (Commissioner) - District4@ocfl.net
7. Emily Bonilla (Commissioner) - District5@ocfl.net
8. Victoria Siplin (Commissioner) - District6@ocfl.net