Foxes in the Coop

Ironically, the same foxes will be left guarding the chickens after an official evaluation of the three county animal shelters.

The American Humane Association evaluated these shelters and found them in significant dysfunction, including undefined responsibilities, a reactionary management style, and unwarrantedly high euthanasia rates.

Now, the American Humane Society has encouraged the Board of Supervisors to appoint an independent evaluation committee to report findings back.

Why then the “fox and hens” analogy?

Because the same three longtime, top county employees heading the Department of Animal Services under whom the significant dysfunction has occurred are to be appointed to the evaluation committee!

It is one thing to want a committee with first-hand knowledge of the problems. It is another thing to have a committee of those who — for a prolonged time — have condoned those problems.

Nothing will happen unless there are many expressions by you, the citizens, by phone, mail, email, etc. to the supervisors telling them that we do not want to live — and have dogs unnecessarily die — under the present situation in Santa Barbara County.