LAAS Field Troops Still Harassing Cat People

A friend of mine is being harassed because of too many cats. A posse shows up every month or so and inspects his property and finds too many cats. He baits them, it seems, by keeping the water bowls out and telling them he refuses to stop giving them water, and he doesn't get them off his property before the inspections--that is another story. But, he is looking forward to being "masonized."

Remember Ron Mason? LAAS confiscated 51 cats and killed 26 because they were "irremediably" suffering? Even the Chief vet said the kittens were in bad condition. I posted the photos from the Daily News that showed the sick kittens and one adult cat they killed.

Today I got a comment on a 17 month old post about someone who rescued 11 sick cats with UIR.

Here it is:


Hi, I am from the Philippines, we have rescued 11 cats, we have them all neutered and spayed. Boks is obviously lying.Two weeks ago we had to put two cats to sleep because of upper respiratory problem (rhino/calicivirus), they were suffering so much and there is no hope if they will survive (WBC count was only 100, tongue and esophagus with severe ulcer. 

But we were able to save 9 of them with supportive medication. They were infected with the new strain of calicivirus, which currently there is no vaccine for it. This virus can kill within 24 hours to 3 days if the cat's immune system is not so good. But if they have a better immune system, they can survive and it will run it's course within 10 days.

The death is horrible for those who are really weak and immune system is very low. But even the one's that we predicted will not be able to make it, actually made it. They are all playing and very active now.

All we did was put them in fluids, antibiotics, supportive medication and of course TLC.

There is really no medicine for any viral infection. You can only give supportive medication and antibiotics for secondary bacterial infection.

Apparently, Boks thinks all cats infected with a virus should be killed since he cannot even provide supportive medication.

Even the healthiest cat in the world that gets Class A type of care can be a virus carrier. Boksmission is probably to exterminate all animals.

We spent a lot of money, family and friends helped us, we still owe some money from the vet but it's all worth it.

Boks is obviously lying, I saw the cats on the video and pictures, not even close to what our cats had, but 9 of them survived it.


I think this is my last post about Boks. He is history, why continue to beat on him?

I wish him well in his new career as long as it isn't running a shelter.

Who Are The Bad Employees?

Both Boks and Bickhart used to blame bad employees for the failure of the department to come anywhere near no kill. Both said they were lazy. Others say they just ignore their "superiors" in the chain of command.

How many of you would be willing to out any bad employees for acts or lack of actions that hurt animals or hinder them getting adopted? Can we clean up LAAS and County?

The people we would need most to make this work is past or current employees.

Leave comments.

Here is how it would work.

I would create an anonymous email and blogger account and anyone could send me an email from that anonymous account, or could make a post about a bad employee.

We will just start building a dossier on each.

There appears to be FAR fewer complaints of animal abuse or neglect by the City shelters versus County. Is this the case?

In any event, a new City Attorney will be taking office in a month, who is a real animal lover. Trutanich has rescued both a dogs and a cat off the street who still live with him.  He has vowed to end animal abuse and cruelty in Los Angeles. I know he just covers the City, but he and the DA promise to found a closer alliance than in the past.

Do you want to do this thing?


Please Help Ed Boks Find a Job

Ed's looking for a job.

I am surprised he hasn't found one since I know he has been looking since June of last year. The job opportunities for an ex-shelter director for three major cities is limited in his case to consulting or head of some animal related foundation.

Ed really should get out of the animal management business and into PR or politics.

Here is the link to his resume and request for work:


Highlights:

Ed Boks’s Summary

Ed is looking for a position that will allow him to exercise the vast array of executive level skills and talents accumulated over an extensive, successful career.

Ed Boks’s Specialties:

Visioning; Strategic Planning; Public Relations; Communication (Oral and Written); Team Building and Recruitment; Turn Around, Performance, and Transparent Management; National Speaker/Consultant; Contract Negotiation; Teacher/Trainer; Curriculum Development; Lobbyist; Multi-Million Dollar Capital Project Management; adept at Microsoft and other PC based programs and various internet functions such as Blogging, YouTube, etc.

Ed Boks’s Experience

  • General Manager

    LA Animal Services

    (Government Administration industry)

    January 2006 — Present (3 years 5 months)

    Recruited by Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, to implement animal care and control policies and programs aligned to City goals and objectives.
    • Highest volume pet adoption program in the nation;
    • Lowest pet euthanasia rates in Department’s recorded history. 

    • Opened and staffed six LEED Certified state-of-the-art animal care centers; 

    • Led Department through its first Strategic Planning process; 

    • Updated and standardized all policies and procedures; 

    • Recruited and managed exceptional medical and executive staff;
    • Recruited and managed record number volunteer organizations and individuals to spearhead Spay/Neuter PR campaign, A House is Not a Home Without a Pet voucher program, and other life saving programs;
    • Helped establish Animal Cruelty Task Force;

    • Built coalition of over 140 Los Angeles based animal welfare organizations;

    • Instrumental in development of two animal welfare television programs; 
    • Managed $22 million budget, seven 24/7 animal care centers, 450 employees.

  • Executive Director

    Animal Care & Control of New York City

    (Government Administration industry)

    July 2003 — January 2006 (2 years 7 months)

    Recruited by Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, to implement animal care and control policies and programs aligned to City goals and objectives.

    • Highest volume pet adoption agency in the United States at this time; 
    • Lowest pet euthanasia rate in Department’s recorded history; 

    • Built a coalition of over 160 northeastern based animal welfare organizations; 

    • Instrumental in obtaining $15 million in grants; 

    Led Department through its first Strategic Planning process; 

    • Enrolled community support to effect fund raising and marketing strategies;
    • Managed $8 million budget, three 24/7 animal care centers, 150 employees.
    • Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Friends of Animal Care & Control in New York City for a career of extraordinary life saving work; 
    • Alley Cat Allies National Award for Excellence for transforming the way communities care for feral cats.


    Notice the remarkable similarity of what he did at each city? He just changed the names of the city to the same list of accomplishments.

ALF Claims Reno Arson of Primate Importer


Animal rights activists say they set Reno fire


By SCOTT SONNER
The Associated Press

RENO, Nev.
May 27, 2009

Animal rights activists have claimed responsibility for a fire that gutted the Reno business office of a company that ships monkeys from China for scientific research in the United States and elsewhere.

Reno police and fire officials began investigating the arson claim by the Animal Liberation Front after The Associated Press sought comment about an e-mail the group circulated to media outlets and posted on a Web site.

"At this point we are looking at it as a lead," Reno police spokesman Steve Frady said Wednesday. "There is evidence of arson. At this point there is no physical evidence to link this with the group claiming responsibility," he said.

No one was injured in the fire that broke out about 4 a.m. on May 18 and caused an estimated $300,000 damage to offices of Scientific Resources International Inc. just southwest of downtown Reno, Frady said.

The North American Animal Liberation Front Press Office, which posts messages from groups taking credit for animal rights violence, said on its Web site Tuesday that it received an "anonymous communique" last week indicating ALF was claiming responsibility for the fire.

"In the early morning hours of May 18th, four incendiary devices were planted at Scientific Resources International, a supplier of non-humyn (sic) primates for use in vivisection labs all over northern Nevada," the message read. "The concept of animals existing as `resources' is utterly despicable, and we vow to do all in our power to run businesses like these into the ground."

Vivisection labs are used by scientists who experiment with animals, such as for medical research.

Frady said the building is listed as a business office and didn't believe any animals had been housed there. A man who answered the telephone listing for the office said he was the manager but declined to give his name. He said the building had been destroyed and would be unable to conduct business until it was rebuilt.

The one-story home that housed the offices in a largely residential district still smelled of smoke Wednesday. A sign identified it only as "SRI Inc." The most badly charred parts of the building were by two front doors on a large covered porch and in the rear of the building. Several holes have been boarded up.

"We are hoping the public has information that will help us to thoroughly investigate this case and determine who was responsible for setting this fire," Frady said. He said 33 firefighters were called to battle the blaze.

Frady said he wasn't aware of any other acts of violence involving ALF in the Reno-Sparks area in recent years.

2007 a Big Year for Hoarder Busts

Animal Services seizes 120 pet rats

An 81-year-old Wilmington woman was found Monday afternoon by Los Angeles Department of Animal Services officers in her home with more than 100 rats and 35 other animals she kept as pets.

  • Wanda Langstom was taken to a hospital to be treated for animal bites. Her arms were covered with open wounds that were probably caused by her animals, said Annette Ramirez, an animal control officer.

Animal control officers also seized the animals, which included about 120 rats, most in cages but some running loose, 25 rabbits, a dog, six parakeets, a quail and a cockatiel.

"Langstom basically became overwhelmed at how quickly the rats reproduced. She said it just started with two but it got out of hand," Ramirez said. "Hoarding pets is something we see in Los Angeles frequently so it's not actually that rare a case."

Members of Animal Services' Anti-Cruelty Task Force visited Langstom's home in the 1100 block of Laguna Avenue on Monday to investigate "deplorable conditions," as described by a tip from someone who had visited Langstom's home earlier that day after seeing an ad for a rabbit in a local newspaper. "Once inside, the person saw all the cages and how the situation was bad for both the animals and the resident," Ramirez said.

Most of the animals were healthy, Ramirez said. A veterinarian was treating all of the seized animals, which are available for adoption in San Pedro at the Harbor Animal Care Center.

"Most of the animals were healthy." This is in telling contrast to "deplorable conditions," Again, I aks, how many animals left the shelter alive?

Another document by the LAPD said the ACTF conducted 400 investigations of alleged animal cruelty, 35 for cock fighting and 15 for dog fighting. They also said they investigated cases of hoarding, but did not say how many of the 400 cases involved alleged hoarding.

ACTF Was Very Busy in Late 2007 Busting Cat "Hoarders"

This bust was just two months before Ron Mason's bust. 108 animals were impounded. How many do you suppose left alive? How many received treatment of any sort? This is a LAAS News Release dated August 2, 2007, 65 days before Ron Mason's bust.

Call For Help Saves Animals in Distress

Los Angeles: On Tuesday, July 31, 2007, concerned friends of a West Valley resident notified the Los Angeles Police Department regarding their friends threats to kill herself. West Valley Officers responded to the residence in the 19300 block of Welby Way in the San Fernando Valley in an effort to check on the womans welfare. When the resident did not answer the door, the officers, fearing that someone had been harmed, entered the location. The officers were unable to locate the resident, but discovered cats, reptiles, a dog, and numerous exotic birds living in deplorable conditions.

The City of Los Angeles’ Animal Cruelty Task Force was contacted and responded to the location to conduct an investigation and rescue the endangered animals. While the animals were being taken into protective custody, the resident arrived home. The officers, suspecting mental illness was a factor, requested the assistance of mental health professionals. This tactic was proven effective as the resident was detained for a 72-hour mental evaluation hold.

A total of 108 animals were taken from the house. The Animal Cruelty Task Force is handling the investigation.

--------------

I have one major question, of the 108 animals taken into "protective custody," how many left the shelter alive?

I would not raised this issue again except that this sort of thing is still happening.




Animal Services 2008 Statistical Report Admits Spay/Neuter Programs Were a Failure

Notice Boks blames the failure of Spay/Neuter, not on the quality and reach of the programs themseleves, but on the lack of a City-wide TNR program, despite the fact there never was a City-wide TNR program.

From the Report:

The cat intake rates from 2002 through 2008 suggest that the neutering assistance programs funded by the City have not been as effective as they could be. To maximize the benefits of the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance and offset the increased intakes caused by the current economic climate it will be critical to maximize the effectiveness of the Department's spay/neuter programs going forward. 2008 saw nearly a 22% increase in the number of cats taken in. The last time the Department took in this many cats was before 2001. One impediment to reducing cat intakes has been the Department’s inability to implement any kind of official Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program to deal with feral and stray cats pending state environmental requirements being met and, in 2008, litigation filed by bird protection groups to petition the Department to stop supporting such efforts.
Table 9: Annual Cat Intake Rates

Cat Intakes

2001      22,094
2002      20,908
2003      23,117
2004      20,645
2005      21,651
2006      21,273
2007      19,172
2008      23,378

This is from the department's 2008 statistical report, pages 6-8.



ACTF Main Activity--Busting Cat "Hoarders"

Boks used the ACTF as a personal PR brigade, going after master criminals, such as Ron Mason, then publicly boasting about how they rescued the cats.

Here, lie with Ron Mason, they killed most of the cats they rescued. Also, you can't believe a word Boks said about the condition of the cats, or why they were untreatable. Did she take 18 cats to Brown Canyon and abandon them? If so, how was the ACTF able to impound those 18 cats? Imagine, she was charged with illegal breeding of cats! The news release below was dated Feb 22, 2007, seven months before they did the same thing to Ron Mason. But they only killed 50% of Ron's cats, compared to 78% here. 

NEWS RELEASE

City of Los Angeles  Department of Animal Services

Cat Hoarder Busted For Cruelty

Los Angeles – On October 4, 2006, Los Angeles Animal Services filed cruelty charges against Linda Lane of
Canoga Park. Ms. Lane subjected more than a dozen sick cats to deplorable living conditions. Ms. Lane put 18 cats in her car, drove them into Brown's Canyon, and abandoned them and her car there to avoid being charged with animal cruelty.

LA Animal Services subsequently filed charges under PC597(b) (animal cruelty), 53.50
LAMC (too many cats) and 53.15.2 C and B (illegal breeding of cats).

On Tuesday, February 20, 2007, Ms. Lane
pled guilty to all charges. Her sentence includes: 36 months probation, 100 hours community service, $120 in court fees, 24 hours of 597(g) behavioral counseling, 24/7 right of Animal Services to inspect without a warrant or probable cause.

In addition, Ms. Lane was forbidden by the court from feeding or placing food out for any cats or strays. Ms. Lane will be allowed to keep one cat, that must be spayed or neutered and a photo of the cat must be provided to LA Animal Services. Ms. Lane has until March 28th to comply with these conditions.

“A key reason we pursued this case is the poor living conditions,” said department General Manager Ed
Boks. “We want all cats to have homes, but they have to be homes where the animals are well cared-for. Ms. Lane was failing across the board.”

All 18 cats impounded by Animal Services required extensive care as they were suffering from severe upper respiratory infection and skin lesions, four of these cats were also feral. Four cats ultimately recovered and were adopted. Fourteen cats were humanely euthanized due to irremediable suffering or lack of improvement from treatments.

This case sets a new standard for hoarding and cruelty cases in that this is the first time an owner has been restricted from feeding strays. Ms. Lane was advised that any violation in her probation could result in incarceration.

..................................................

Now, another newsletter release dated January 2007 by the ACTF lists its agenda and purpose as:

The Task Force was assembled to fight animal neglect and abuse, including beatings, poisoning, cock fighting, dog fighting, and bestiality.

Yes, but people who own houses with too many cats are easier to find.

Trutanich and Koretz Win


Here are photos of the Trutanich Victory Party at Universal Hilton:

Now maybe we can get LA's animal Cruelty Task Force to go after actual animal cruelty, instead, as Officer Munez said, "Our biggest problem is people with too many cats."

People with too many cats usually own their own homes and are easy to find, dog fighting rings are harder to find and in dangerous neighborhoods.

Kathy Davis Official Word on Kitten Rescue Fees

I was confused by the various pricing scenarios sent out by the Department regarding cats and neonates fees for rescuers, and by what I have heard from actual rescuers, so that I asked Kathy Davis specifically:

How much would a rescuer have to pay for a mom cat and five neonatal kittens?

This is her third clarifying email. Print it out and take it with you any time you go to any shelter. Inform staff this is the official charges from their boss.


--- On Fri, 5/15/09, Kathy Davis <Kathy.Davis@lacity.org> wrote:

From: Kathy Davis
Subject: Re:
To: "Edward 
Muzika" <edwardmuzika@sbcglobal.net>
Date: Friday, May 15, 2009, 1:54 PM

Ed:

They CAN adopt the mom and 5 kittens.  (There are 3 options for neonates.)  The $40 charge is ONLY if the surgery is deferred due to age or illness.  The $40 pays for their postponed s/n surgery, and we throw in free microchip and vac.  They also get a $12 refund per pet ($12 X 6=$72).  

Bottom line in your scenario is they only pay $28 (after the refund) for each kitten and mom - and for that $28 fee each kitten and cat gets s/n (for no additional money), plus a microchip and vac.

Total cost (after refund) for mom and 5 kittens, all s/n, all with a microchip and all get vacs. = $168. 

If they adopt, pay the $40 and take the mom and kittens to their own vet for s/n, they get the entire $40 refunded to them.  So they pay us $0  for each mom and kitten.

Again, further questions, happy to field them.

Thanks,

Kathy

SECOND REASON TO VOTE TRUTANICH CITY ATTORNEY

Dear Friends of Animals,

I am Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich--environmental attorney, former Hardcore Gang Prosecutor with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, and candidate for Los Angeles City Attorney.  I’m pledging to animal lovers that, as your City Attorney, prosecuting criminal acts against animals in Los Angeles will not only continue, but will be enhanced and expanded. 

Caring for animals is not a political ploy for me--it is a lifelong passion.  I grew up in San Pedro and my first rescued pet as a child was a rabbit, named Hoppy, who lived with our family for many years.   My wife, Noreen, and I adopted two homeless Jack Russell Terriers when our children were old enough to understand that these were family members, not toys.  Fortunately, we still have one of them, Myla, who is now 16 years old.  So that Myla wouldn’t be alone, I adopted an adult Beagle, who we named “Lucky”, from a local rescuer three months ago.  He has given Myla a new lease on life!  Lucky was found in the middle of a downtown street.  Today, he can usually be found dozing in the middle of our bed, burrowed under the covers. 

I have also  rescued many horses, including walking a frightened mare home from a garage sale when I was told by the owners that they would possibly sell her for slaughter because she was “barn sour”.  After months of proper care, patience and training, she forgot her fears and enjoyed life as a beloved family companion.      My wife and I saved the life of Tonka, my painted quarter horse who was kicked in the leg by a Palomino on a trail ride.  The blow fractured his front left leg vertically for eight inches.  Tonka was a miracle horse. He broke all expectations after six months at San Luis Rey Equine Center.  He lived!  In fact, Tonka became the poster horse for animal fracture study and care.  His case was studied nationally at many equine veterinary conferences. He taught me so many lessons, the least of which is how much spirit and will animals have to live when they are loved. 

I’m telling you this so you will know that the same things that touch your hearts most deeply have also impacted me for a lifetime—not just now that there is an election.  The upcoming City Attorney election creates a great opportunity for us, as animal lovers, to put our feelings into action. This is what I envision for the future:  

 • The City Attorney’s Animal Protection Unit must become a powerful force, assuring that, if someone decides to keep a pet within Los Angeles, they will treat it well…or there will be consequences.  On my watch, animal abuse will be vigorously prosecuted and to the full extent of the law.  

• Through tough, but just, enforcement, we will increase public awareness that the City of Los Angeles does not tolerate cruelty to any animal—domestic or wildlife.  I know this works because, as an environmental prosecutor, I increased public awareness of environmental violations via stern prosecution in the mid-80’s.  Corporations protect our air, earth and water better today because of my hard work in the Environmental Crimes/OSHA Division of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. The same will hold true for animal-cruelty violations.    

• I will partner with the District Attorney’s office to assure that crimes of abuse or neglect of animals receive the full attention they deserve.  We will not settle for a misdemeanor if a felony is indicated, and I will work closely with District Attorney Steve Cooley on these cases.  That way, criminal offenders will receive the level of justice they deserve.  Let the word go out now:  “Stay out of the City of Los Angeles if you intend to neglect or abuse animals.  It’s a one-way ticket to jail!”  

• We meet an additional societal obligation by protecting animals--history has chronicled that humans; especially children, women and the elderly, are often the next victims of those who harm animals.  As City Attorney, I will assure that we do not excuse or disregard crimes merely because the victims are voiceless.

I want our City to be a safe place for both humans and animals, and I know you share that dream.  I am asking you to give the animals a “true” voice in Los Angeles by voting for me for City Attorney on May 19, 2009.    

Download my response to The League of Humane Voters, California Chapter questionnaire, by clicking here  

Sincerely,
SEE HIS WEBSITE AND SLIDESHOW:


He has by far the best political website I have ever seen!

VOTE FOR TRUTANICH FOR CITY ATTORNEY!

From Trutanich's website; this is listed as his number 2 priority:

Animal Welfare & Protection

Los Angeles must be a safe place for both humans and animals.  My wife, Noreen and I share our home with two adopted dogs, 16-year-old Myla, and Lucky, a rescued Beagle, and I have a lifelong commitment to the welfare and protection of animals. As City Attorney, I will prosecute animal abuse and neglect to the full extent of the law.  No crime will be excused or disregarded merely because the victims are voiceless.

Caught On Tape: Animal Shelter Abuses

Reporting
David Goldstein LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―

http://cbs2.com/tv/animal.shelter.abuse.2.1009429.html

CBS 2 News obtained surveillance video revealing what goes on behind the scenes at some L.A. County animal shelters.

These surveillance videos -- obtained by CBS 2 News -- show what some L.A. County animal shelter employees do when they think the public's not watching.

"How do you pull a defenseless dog through the facility like that, dragging it, and you have nothing to say at all."

We have the videos and obtained documents showing a hidden culture at the county shelters, where animals are allegedly euthanized and abused by employees, sometimes for kicks.

"There were quite a few of them who high-fived each other when they got certified to put the animals to sleep, as if it was a major coup."

L.A. County's Animal Care and Control claims to be one of the largest and progressive shelter systems in the nation. Their slogan is "care with compassion."

But our investigation found that is not always the case.

Animal control officers are watched from dozens of surveillance cameras set up all around the six shelters across L.A. County, watching them when no one else may be watching.

In a video from the backroom of the Downey shelter, an animal control officer is seen putting his foot on the dog he just brought in. While it's fully restrained on what is called a catch pole, he pins the dog down, jabbing the pole in its throat.

In this video from the Baldwin Park shelter last December, the officer drags the dog all the way down the long corridor, pulling it by a rope, as the animal spreads out on all fours. When he stops, the friendly dog wags its tail, only to be dragged along even further.

The day before at Baldwin Park, a camera catches another officer doing the exact same thing -- dragging a dog by a rope down a corridor.

In March at Baldwin Park an officer is seen flinging a Chihuahua into the cage. The tiny dog is tossed in like a piece of meat.

And finally in Baldwin Park in 2006, a dog is appears unsteady on its feet, having just come back from the vet with a hip injury. But that didn't stop the officer, who has been identified as Felix Reyes, from first pulling the dog, then dragging it by a rope.

As a family of five walks by, Reyes drags the dog across the compound.

After a short time, the dog finally succumbs to the pressure and gets up, only to have Reyes captured by another camera, as he walks it along and yanks the injured dog across the threshold and into a cage.

"Every animal has a story and they can't talk," said Cathy Nguyen.

Nguyen is an animal lover and frequent critic of the shelter system, who has troubled by the videos.

"The dog could be someone's dog. They didn't know. If this is how they treat my dog it wouldn't be acceptable," Nguyen said.

It was almost sadistic?

"Sadistic. Absolutely."

"Hey Felix, I'm David Goldstein with CBS 2 News."

I tried to question Reyes.

"You were pulling that defenseless dog down through the whole place. What were you doing that for?"

But he never said a word.

"How do you keep quiet about that? How do you live with yourself at night? You've got nothing to say?"

Critics of the shelter system say the videos bring to light the sometimes dark side of what goes on goes behind the cages -- a culture that can breed cruelty, neglect and even torture.

These investigative reports, obtained by CBS 2 News, document dogs that were intentionally or mistakenly euthanized, killed in the shelters after being put on hold for adoption or the return to their owners.

"There were definitely people working there who didn't even like animals."

This former shelter employee, who would only talk if we concealed their identity, says the euthanizing of animals was sometimes a sought after position.

"They enjoyed putting the animals to sleep?"

"Yes. Some of them volunteered. They wanted to be the ones doing that."

"What kind of person is that?"

"Narcissistic. Lack of compassion. It wasn't uncommon at all."

But the head of L.A. County's shelter system says three instances is just a small amount.

"We take in 90,000 animals a year, three incidents over the numbers of thousands of animals that have come in during that period of time I think is very minor." 

More videos of abuses.

Marcia--I am coming after you and all the supervisors who are protecting you. Boks is gone; you are next.