Woman who stopped Boulder City shelter animal killings is town’s newest hero
The 2015 Boulder City employee of the year has an unusual distinction: Whistleblower.
In April, Ann Inabnitt called the police on her boss, then-Animal Control Supervisor Mary Jo Frazier.
Inabnitt would end up telling the detective she had witnessed Frazier kill more than 100 adoptable animals. One shelter volunteer theorized that Frazier found "joy in killing animals." The investigation found that Frazier often killed animals in her care quickly and without consulting a vet. City code demands animals be held for five days and receive a veterinary exam before euthanasia.
The detective penned a harrowing report recommending that Frazier, who had overseen the shelter since 2006, face criminal charges in the deaths of dozens of animals.
Two days after the investigation concluded, Frazier quit and city Police Chief Bill Conger decided not to pursue the case. He's said he determined it would be an uphill battle in court and serve no purpose considering Frazier retired.
Inabnitt, who has been with the city for 2½ years, took over as animal control supervisor and, for a while, that was the end of the drama involving Frazier.
Inabnitt was finally able to spend money on treating injured animals. Before, Frazier had refused to let any money be spent on animals she was just going to "stick anyway," Inabnitt told police.
In one instance Inabnitt used her own money to save a dying puppy. A couple was eager to adopt Sunny, an abandoned pit bull puppy with a broken hip, so Inabnitt spent $1,400 of her own money for the surgery.
"She said the only thing she wanted in return was for us to love Sunny," said Boulder City resident Trevor Messina, who adopted Sunny.
People have told the Review-Journal that Frazier spurned their donations, their help. Inabnitt welcomed any help she could get. There's a woman who drops off bleach every week — a shelter essential.
"That's my bleach fairy," Inabnitt laughed one December day when the woman arrived bearing her usual bounty.
Inabnitt also began advertising the animals she was rescuing online, another effort she had wanted to undertake but Frazier had forbidden, according to the police investigation.
Now the shelter animals have their own Facebook page: Boulder City Paws 'n' Claws.
The page had 1,447 likes on Dec. 21.
The Facebook page isn't just about advertising strays. It's also a space to sound the alarm for missing pets, a space for stories of known escape artists, of reunions, of new beginnings.
"Calling Brandi! Roger's been a bad boy! Come & get 'em at the shelter!!" reads one post with a photo of a dog who, as one comment notes, has an expression that says "busted."
Another:
"Sheldon is still missing, BC Peeps! Please keep an eye out for him."
And:
"Number of days in November the shelter was open: 18
Number of animals adopted: 23
"Now THAT'S a numbers game we like to PLAY! #ShelterPetsRock"
On Dec. 8, Inabnitt was scheduled to be honored as employee of the year for her efforts. But just before the meeting, word got out about what had transpired in April.
People picketed the city Police Department upon hearing that the chief had dropped the case. They demanded the city ask for charges and the city relented. The case is now in front of the Clark County district attorney.
At the protest, people traded stories about Frazier, with many calling her mean. Several people said Frazier had killed their animals.
The protesters came to the next City Council meeting, too. It was the meeting where Inabnitt was to be honored. She didn't show up and asked that the item be removed from the agenda.
Still, her community honored her — at least unofficially — anyway. Some of those who spoke to council about the problem called her a hero.
"Honestly it took somebody to stand up and say something about this," said Mayor Rod Woodbury. "From all appearances it was happening for a period of time."
Contact Bethany Barnes at bbarnes@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3861. Find her on Twitter: @betsbarnes
