An L.A. councilman is calling for extensive changes to the city’s Animal Services Department. According to the Los Angeles Times, Paul Koretz is asking the city to provide more dog walks, more funding, and more resources.
Councilman Presiding
On Friday, Koretz sent out a report on the state of animal shelters in Los Angeles. In that report, Koretz laid out a “‘road map’ of recommendations” to help the thousands of animals entering L.A.’s shelter system. Conveniently, the report comes as volunteers and staff of the Animal Services Department accuse the department of severe understaffing and sloppy management.
In detail, Koretz’s report highlights key issues with the shelters. For example, a need for more regular dog walks, or tenuous relations between staff and volunteers. Altogether, the report says the central issue is a lack of funding and oversight. Without both, staffing and equipment are scarce, and the shelters can’t properly run.
Alarmingly, the report also remarks on the lack of a humane policy for handling aggressive dogs or dogs who’ve been neglected and abused. With the lack of staffing, these dogs are routinely kept in their kennels for weeks or even months at a time.
Paying the Cost
Not surprisingly, the victims here are not only dogs but the workers and volunteers that care for them. Without the resources to adequately care for the animals, many volunteers spoke to the media to raise awareness. As a result, the city dismissed them for their critical remarks. On top of that, longstanding friction with the staff has scared volunteers away. In his report, Koretz advises creating a mediation group to help ease tensions.
Hopefully, Koretz — who’s also running for city controller — will find the help he needs to get funding for rescue dogs in the City of Angels. Unfortunately, his office only has limited oversight. Now, the problem lies in Mayor Eric Garcetti’s hands.
