Andrea Rosebrock 
In the end of October when the Memphis Animal Shelter was raided and evidence of starved dogs came to light along with numerous other problems, Mayor Wharton promised changes, improvements and now, more than two months later there are still massive problems including the killing of dogs that were in the process of being adopted on at least two occasions and one dog being adopted that was not properly processed according to law, it hadn’t been neutered. There are still sick dogs being left uncared for, stuck in cages which have been seen in the video and it wasn’t until public outcry that something was done. What the hell is it going to take for a complete overhaul to this shelter? How many more must suffer and die at the hands of the incompetent, careless and heartless staff?
In the beginning of December Kate Mauldin started the process to adopt a pitbull from the shelter. She filled out all the paperwork and was told that she would need a home visit. She waited… and waited… and called… and waited some more. She kept being put off. Finally on December 11, almost 2 weeks later, Kate went to MAS and demanded to see Kiddo, the pitbull she was trying to adopt. Finally they told her that they euthanized him the day before.
As to why, the story kept changing; distemper, signs of aggression. Thing is, medical reports show that Kiddo was completely healthy and temperament reports showed him to be a happy and friendly dog. There was a notation that he was somewhat timid.
What came to light days later was that shelter workers, okay, hold your hats on for this one, thought that “distemper” meant bad temper and that was supposed to be the reason for the confusion about the reason Kiddo was killed.
Amazing that a dog that was in good health and temperament all the sudden is so sick with “distemper” that he is killed with no word to the adopter who is waiting and calling… kind of makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
“The veterinarian found the dog had distemper, and it was then euthanized the next day,” Tonya Meeks, Wharton’s communications specialist said. “In the between time, it is usually a courtesy — but not a written policy — that the folks at the shelter call anyone interested in adopting the dog, so they can decide if they still want him, and where that communication broke down, we are not sure. But we admit fault where that is concerned.”
“That’s all well and good, but if Kiddo did in fact have distemper, he caught it while no one was running a background check or making any effort to inspect my house.” Kate said, “Their inability to do anything in an organized or timely fashion cost him his life.”
Then again, another dog killed before the adopter could pick it up just the day after Christmas and Wharton calls it a “goof-up.” Excuses and more excuses and oh, maybe the worker will be disciplined. Well I’m sure that’s welcome news to Rita Leone who went to pick up her new furry family member and oh, hey, how about the poor dead dog, bet that’s real good news, just a “goof up”… oopsie.
And the latest, at least it’s not another dead dog, just another goof up. The city’s adoption law mandates that unless there is a medical reason, all animals being adopted must be spayed or neutered prior to leaving the shelter. Well, looks like someone isn’t paying attention to procedure… again. A dog named Beale was adopted without being neutered even though the adopter was told that he would be.
The Mayor’s office said the dog didn’t meet the criteria for surgery but interestingly enough two vets signed off that the dog was perfectly healthy.
Sounds like there’s still problems, a lot of problems at Memphis Animal Shelter. You’d think with the eyes of the world watching, literally, remember there’s now video cameras installed and the public can watch the live feed online, that MAS would make sure there were no screw ups!! Mayor Wharton professes to take responsibility, well why doesn’t he just do the right thing, just like he did with his own office when he was elected, and clean house and start over again!?
Again I ask, how many more must suffer and die before some real changes are made?
Shelter workers thought that “distemper” meant bad temper??? Where are they hiring these workers from, DOG PATCH?? Isn’t it, like, the law to complete the 6th grade?
Obviously the mayor is not watching this outfit very much. Putting in cameras is not a remedy.
Are you friggin kidding me? Distemper…bad temper???
Clearly cameras are not enough. ACTION please immediately!!!!
This is beyond unbelievable. WTF is going on over there??? Nothing good that’s for certain.
The Mayor’s idea about putting a piece of red tape on the cage sounds pretty incoherent to me. Don’t they have any animal welfare professionals in Memphis?
They do….they are all on the Mayor’s Shelter Advisory Committee and have to spend their time patting each other on the back, beefing up their resumes and of course being PC and staying in line and on board to keep their Advisory Committee Position! Likely having meetings with catered lucheons too! That does not leave much time for advising little less actual work of saving animals’ lives. Guess they do not think that is too important.
omg, what the hell is wrong with these people? Distemper-bad temper, you have to be kidding. This Mayor better get his damn act together. Apparently they hire people who cannot read, write, or understand procedure. Why don’t they hire someone who has a brain that functions to run the place? Off the top of my head, I can think of many people on this site who would do one hell of a better job, and run things properly than these idiots.
ME too Susie…let’s pack out suitcases and head out tomorrow. Most of us would do it for no pay too, not the ridiculous salaries they are handing out to these morons. Let’s look up and see how much the convicted felon is making on her SECOND CHANCE JOB…..between VICK, Demetria and the POS OH BYB….I think our parents had it wrong….crime really DOES PAY.
Is it in the job description that every single person who works there must be a complete moron? Geez.
Unbelievable,so sad.Stupid workers.
No matter what the Mayor or his office says this is nothing more than a political cover up, a sweep under the carpet and a be PC and protect my career. He clean swept his office well. There is no excuse for this. The cameras are a joke, and if one does watch and try to call about any immediate issue, the phones are either not answered or the person answering tells the person calling that all is “okay”.
There was a post going around on this exact issue the other day. When the person who watched the video became concerned they called the shelter, guess who they got on the phone? Good old Supervisor Demetria, you know the one the MAYOR and the CITY of MEMPHIS wanted to give the SECOND CHANCE to, the CONVICTED FELON and FORGER. Yes sirree, Mayor Wharton, what a fine job you are doing. Just as bad as your predecessors and more interested in your career that in really caring. If your ridiculous advisory committee was anything more than a political sham, things would have been fixed and cleaned up weeks ago. Shame on all of you. Guess in Memphis the animals are not given a second chance, just the politicians, the animal abusers, the lying moronic staff, and of course the convicted felons. TAKE NOTE everyone, Demetria the Felon was convicted for forgery, and here is someone in a supervisory and handling paper work position.
Listen Up Memphis Animal Shelter, Memphis ACO’s and Shelter Staff, Mayor Wharton and your So Called Shelter Advisory Committee….we are not going away. We are not keeping silent. We are not letting you continue with these reprehensible and irresponsible actions. If we cannot stop you, at least we will make sure that the world will be watching and reporting.
WOW! After viewing the video it seems that AC Wharton is just as much an IDIOT as the people employed by the shelter.
Make it simple with color coded tape? These people are complete morons…
Boy are you right Mike, just goes to show what happens when we do not expect to know people to know their ABC’s, and be able to read simple things like OPEN THE CAGE DOOR and CLOSE THE CAGE DOOR, Distemper means SICK…..vs… Bad Temper means maybe not friendly. What is even worse, is that they think up these stupid, lying excuses and then expect us to buy into them and believe them. Wonder how long it took someone to dream up this excuse.
When was the last time, in fact name even a first time, you ever heard anyone who worked with dogs refer to a dog who was agressive or a biter or growler or who had even not passed a temperment test as being a dog with a “BAD TEMPER” Geez, just because all those at the MAS are lazy, uncaring, shiftless, morons does not mean that we are. Following not too far behind seems to be Mayor Wharton and his Shelter Advisory Committee Wonders.
Gee, all that education and all they can think of is “color coded tape”. Then we would have to have classes to teach the idiots their colors and to remember what the colors meant. I can just see that one now. “H’mmm Yellow….does that mean CAUTION, or DOG ADOPTED, or I know…It means YELLOW FEVER …better kill this one too!”
How about actual shelter people who care and want to save animals. Oh and also, no convicted forgery felons or fired from other shelters advisory board members, or a Mayor and staff that actually are concerned about right versus wrong rather than PC and getting relected. That might be a start.
For the love of God, it seems the lunatics really are running the Asylum !!!! This is a total travesty….What planet are these people on ???
That shows people are there to punch the clock and not take care of the animals . They should be eliminated
Why don’t they hire Jamie lee Chandry when she gets out of jail , she is very stupid ,a quality Memphis animal control seems to cherish
Effing idiots! They are working everywhere even where they shouldn’t be with live animals. What a bunch of dumba**es
New Director at Memphis Animal Services:
http://www.myeyewitnessnews.com/news/local/story/A-Closer-Look-at-New-Memphis-Animal-Shelter/3YxmEmLOO0iuh2idF2Hm9g.cspx
A Closer Look at New Memphis Animal Shelter Director
Reported by: Joyce Peterson
Email: jpeterson@myeyewitnessnews.com
Last Update: 2/05 10:24 pm
MEMPHIS, TN – Highly qualified. And highly recommended. That’s the buzz circulating about Matthew Pepper, the new director of the Memphis Animal Shelter.
After a three month search, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton announced Pepper’s hire on Friday, February 5, 2010. And myEyewitnessNews.com wasted no time checking Pepper’s background and references.
What did we find? Too many animals being euthanized. Unhealthy living conditions. And employees who just don’t care. Sound familiar? That’s how the shelter in Shreveport, Lousianna was described, until Pepper was hired in March 2008 to turn it around.
And when reached for comment, Pepper’s old boss in Shreveport says Mayor Wharton made an excellent hire.
“He’s very good,” says Caddo Parish Administrator and CEO Woody Wilson. “He received the highest ratings and highest merit increases that I could give him.”
Pepper’s new boss is already impressed.
“He’s high-energy like me,” says Mayor Wharton. “He doesn’t mind working seven days a week.”
Mayor Wharton expects great things from Pepper. And his choice for new administrator at the city’s animal shelter has a solid resume.
For the last two years, Pepper’s been the director of the Caddo Parish Animal Services in Shreveport. Before that, he supervised the animal control officers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also worked as a cruelty investigator for the Humane Society in Kent County, Michigan and as technician for the Humane Society in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
Pepper has a degree in Wildlife Biology from Grand Valley State University and attended the Park Law Enforcement and Ranger Institute at Michigan State. He’s a certified member of the National Animal Control Association, board certified in animal euthanasia and Vice President of the Lousianna Animal Control Association.
But in order to turn Memphis’ shelter around, Mayor Wharton says Pepper will need more than good credentials. He’ll need to get to know the town and its’ citizens.
“From day one,” says Mayor Wharton, “I want to personally take him and get him involved with the community so we can work up plans to make this a better place.”
Multiple sources in Shreveport tell myEyewitnessNews.com that their shelter is a better place because of Pepper’s hard work. Two years ago, the Shreveport shelter mirrored Memphis’ facility with the wrong dogs being euthanized, dead dogs living in cages with live ones, employees not following rules and regulations. It was, says one observer, total mismanagement.
Caddo Parish Administrator and CEO Woody Wilson says Pepper brought “passion and professionalism” to their shelter, along with “a sense of calmness” and “structure”.
“Our loss is your gain,” Wilson tells myEyewitnessNews.com. “Matt’s been exceptional. He’ll be sorely missed. We don’t want to see him go.”
Pepper earned $76,000 a year plus a $5,500 car and mileage allowance in Lousianna. He’ll be making $92,000 a year in Memphis. His first day is March 1st. And his new boss predicts he’ll be a good fit for the Bluff City.
“We have a long way to go,” says Mayor Wharton, “but if we get real community support, we’ll be able to make this a much better place.”
Pepper also received high marks in Shreveport for building good relationships with the local animal groups. Animal advocates in Memphis say they like what they’ve heard so far and they look forward to meeting him.
YES!!!!!
UPDATE: Three former Memphis Animal Shelter employees INDICTED!!!!!!
Posted: Feb 04, 2010 1:54 PM PST
Updated: Feb 06, 2010 6:03 AM PST
Ernest Alexander (Source: Albuquerque Police Department)
By Anna Marie Hartman – bio | email
Updates by Nick Kenney – bio | email
UPDATES:
Three former shelter employees indicted, including former director
New administrator of shelter named
Third indicted animal shelter employee arrested in New Mexico
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) – The former director of the Memphis Animal Shelter was arrested Friday in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Bureau tracked Ernest Alexander to New Mexico. The Albuquerque Police Department made the arrest Friday evening at Alexander’s apartment.
Alexander did not resist arrest and said he was aware that authorities were looking for him.
Alexander was one of three people indicted Thursday on charges of animal cruelty.
At a news conference Friday morning, District Attorney Bill Gibbons announced that Alexander was the subject of a six count animal cruelty indictment.
Alexander was fired by Memphis Mayor A C Wharton after the Shelter was raided in October.
After the news conference concluded, Alexander’s attorney, Herschel Rosenberg, called the Action News 5 newsroom. He declined an interview, but claimed Alexander is not on the run.
“Mr. Alexander is out of town at the moment,” Rosenberg said in a written statement. “He is in no way a fugitive trying to evade arrest. He welcomes his opportunity to say in court what has happened in our city.”
The names of the other two former Memphis Animal Shelter employees were released Thursday evening. Veterinarian Angela Middleton and shelter supervisor Tina Quattlebaum were both booked Thursday night at Shelby County Jail East.
The treatment of animals was among the many problems investigators uncovered during a June 2009 audit of the shelter. Auditors found Memphis Animal Services had gaping loopholes in how cash transactions were managed, and there was no formal policy for safeguarding and accountability for pharmaceuticals.
Shelby County sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant on October 27th as part of an investigation into alleged animal cruelty at the shelter.
The search warrant in the case included photos of a puppy that was healthy looking when it was admitted to the shelter on August 18, 2009. Photos of the same dog taken in September show it to be emaciated. According to a necropsy, the animal died of starvation on September 4.
Since the raid, web cameras have been installed at the shelter that allow the public to monitor conditions there 24/7.
New Administrator Named
Mathew Pepper will be the next Administrator of the Memphis Animal Shelter, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton announced Friday.
Pepper, the current director of Caddo Parish Services in Shreveport, Louisiana, will start on March 1.
Wharton’s administration says Pepper’s resume includes 13 years experience in animal control and welfare.
Copyright 2010 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.
http://www.wmctv.com/Global/story.asp?s=11935341&clienttype=printable
Sarah
Thanks a million for both of these posts. I, as I am sure all of us are, am thrilled to read that the MAS Veterinarian was also indicted. YEAH. Of all people at MAS….the animals should have been able to count on her, “their doctor”. The one supposedly trained and sworn to uphold animals’ well being and ensure their care and safety. Obviously, that was not the case with Dr. Middleton. Unless she is deaf, dumb and blind there can be no excuse for her part in the actions. Even if it was simply INACTION. Obviously, she cared more about herself, her time, her job, her BIG salary and her position than she did those in her care. I hope they throw the book at her and revoke, for life, her license. She is a blot on the name of good and caring veterinarians.
I totally agree that arresting the veterinarian is very important to preventing this sort of problem in the future. Need to follow up on this vet’s licensing.
I agree Sarah….though it has been my expereince that state licensing boards as well as the professional vet associations either look the other way or do some meainingless, short time censure and then let them go on their merry way. Look at how asolutely abysmally they overlook North Carolina’s Dr. Death…the heart stick and gassing vet. Of course we can hope that the indictment results in a conviction and jail time, though in my cynicism over the lack of justice for animals I doubt it, but that would put a bit of a “hitch in her get along”. What I love best is Alexander’s attorney saying Alexander was not trying to evade or run away, that he was just “out of town”. Yeah, right in a rented apartment in NM. I sure know that is what I do when I go out of town, rent an apartment. Plus Alexander is quoted as saying that he was aware that there was a warrant out for him……but had not gone back. Sure sounds like evasion to me.
Peggy,
I think you are right on all counts!