In a recent incident at a Los Angeles animal shelter, a kennel supervisor was seriously injured by a Pit bull mix, prompting adjustments to shelter policies and procedures.

Changes in Shelter Policies

Staycee Dains, the general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS), announced during a board meeting that the city will retire its red list system, previously used for animals in danger of euthanasia. This list will be replaced by a Needs Rescue List for animals at risk of euthanasia and suffering. Additionally, a euthanasia list for animals approved for the procedure will be maintained, with only designated rescue groups allowed to take animals from this list. Both lists will be publicly available on the LAAS website.

Incident Details

The incident occurred on May 31 at the Harbor Shelter in San Pedro, where kennel supervisor Leslie Corea, a long-serving LAAS employee, was severely injured by a dog named Brie. Brie, who had been at the shelter for 62 days after being brought in as a stray, was struggling to adjust and had been placed on the euthanasia list. Corea was scheduled to see a private rescue group on the day of the attack.

Response and Recovery

Dains reported that Corea suffered a Level 5 dog bite, the second-most serious category, and is currently in recovery. The department has implemented a buddy system for volunteers or staff handling troubled animals to prevent similar incidents in the future. Corea expressed her desire for officials to address overcrowding in shelters, primarily through promoting low-cost spaying and neutering procedures.

Surrender Reasons and Criticisms

In her report to the board, Dains noted that of all animal surrenders, approximately 3,000 did not have a stated reason. The top reasons given for surrender included housing, medical costs, animal behavior, and lack of education about proper pet care.

However, these changes in shelter policy have faced criticism from a group representing shelter volunteers, who claim that the new rules are unclear and arbitrarily enforced. They argue that limiting access to certain dogs labeled as rescue only restricts their ability to provide enrichment and may lead to the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable animals.

Conclusion: Ensuring Safety and Welfare

The incident at the Los Angeles animal shelter has prompted a reevaluation of shelter policies aimed at ensuring the safety of both staff and animals. While adjustments have been made to address immediate concerns, ongoing dialogue and collaboration between shelter management, volunteers, and stakeholders are crucial to maintaining the welfare of animals in the city’s shelters.

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