City looking at shelter conditions

The city of Las Vegas has launched an investigation into past conditions at the Lied Animal Shelter that led to 1,000 animals being euthanized in February.

The aim of the probe is to find out who was responsible for the "horrific" state at the Las Vegas Valley's largest pound that allowed the spread of disease among cats and dogs there, Mayor Oscar Goodman said Friday.

Goodman said he doesn't believe the investigation should lead to criminal charges. But, he said, those found to be responsible should be forced to step down from the Lied Animal Foundation, which runs the shelter.

Las Vegas could sever its contract with Lied if changes aren't made, he said.

The Humane Society of the United States investigated the shelter in February at the animal foundation's request. The team found dogs and cats with serious respiratory and intestinal diseases and closed the facility for a time. About 1,000 of the sick animals were put down.

A May Humane Society report revealed new and graphic details about the society's visit to Lied. Sick animals were ignored and left to die in their cages, according to the report. Dogs were starving in overcrowded runs. Incoming dogs were housed in the same runs as sick and dying dogs. Animals were not being vaccinated when they arrived at the facility.

The Humane Society's report concluded that the shelter conditions witnessed by the team "reflected a series of fundamental management problems that had been in evidence over time."

There were breakdowns in "almost every aspect of prudent disease control, including a lack of appropriate vaccination, sanitation, isolation/segregation of sick and vulnerable animals and unacceptable levels of overcrowding."

Several local animal activists have complained that no one at Lied has been held accountable. They have called for a criminal investigation, and said they wanted those responsible to be prosecuted.

They also have pointed out that some of the people responsible still are involved with the shelter.

Diane Orgill, the shelter's former director, resigned after the Humane Society's visit, but is still a member of the board of directors for the Lied Animal Foundation.

Janie Greenspun Gale, who was board chair in February, is also still a member of the board.

Neither Orgill nor Gale returned calls for comment on Friday.

"How in good conscience can they stay on that board and not give the public the restoration of confidence?" asked Gina Greisen, an activist on animal care issues. "We're not going to be able to truly move forward until they step down."

Christine Robinson, the shelter's executive director since April, said Lied has been instituting reforms and moving forward with the current board.

There have been discussions pointing out that the board's purpose is to set policy, while her responsibility is for day-to-day operations.

In the past, she said, the line between staff and board members "was blurring. We have discussed, and all mutually agreed, that we have separate and distinct roles."

Goodman did not single out anyone at the shelter for criticism on Friday, or say who the targets of the investigation are. He said he would wait until the city's Department of Detention and Enforcement's investigation is finished in 60 days.

"Allegedly the intentions were good, but that doesn't count anymore," he said.

The Humane Society report "makes Michael Vick look like St. Francis of Assisi," Goodman said, referring to the recent dog fighting charges brought again the NFL quarterback.

But prosecution is unlikely to lead to jail time, Goodman said. "I don't see any good in that," he said.

The city, as well as Clark County and North Las Vegas, contract with Lied. But while the county and North Las Vegas are locked into long-term leases, the city is in a month-to-month lease as it negotiates a long-term lease.

Robinson said she would cooperate fully with the investigation. She also said negotiations with the city were going well.

Goodman noted that city staff has visited the site, and found conditions to be much better.

When asked why the city wasn't going to let the past allegations of misconduct rest, Goodman said, "We can't. The report was so horrific, it has to be addressed."

Review-Journal writer Lynnette Curtis contributed to this report.