Animal Services Criticized: How Would You Fix It?

This story was reported and written by Associate Regional Editor Sherri Lonon.

Government-run animal services agencies in two Tampa Bay area counties are under fire from residents, volunteers and even former employees who say conditions are deplorable for the creatures in the counties’ care.

In Hillsborough County, longtime staff veterinarian Dr. Isabelle Roese recently resigned from Animal Services, saying the agency had gone downhill.

“To see population getting sicker and sicker, health declining, and how staff was being treated it came to a point where I had to resign,” WTVT quoted Roese as saying.

Animal rights activists in Hillsborough are even calling on Gov. Rick Scott and Hillsborough County Commissioners to step in and “help clean up Animal Services.” They’ve started an online petition requesting help.

“Animals sit in cages sick, covered in fleas and with dirty empty food and water dishes,” the petition states. “Some have even died in their cages waiting for help.”

Management at Hillsborough’s agency has fired back citing increased adoption numbers for the agency, but critics say those number have come at the expense of topnotch care.

In nearby Pasco County, problems at Animal Services have made headlines for months. The agency’s director resigned, residents are sounding alarms about cats being euthanized in the field by animal control officers and overcrowding has been an ongoing issue as the county works toward a goal of saving 90 percent of the animals placed into its care.

Pasco Commissioner Pat Mulieri has taken a personal interest in turning Animal Services around, but problems still plague the agency.

Animal Services agencies in both counties do serve a two-pronged purpose.

“The Department of Animal Services is a public safety, and humane animal welfare partner for the community,”Hillsborough’s website says of the agency.

Pasco’s echoes the sentiment. “The goal of the Animal Services Division is to ensure the health and safety of the people and pets in our community by encouraging responsible pet ownership through education, legislation and by providing incentives to sterilize pets.”

With animal services agencies in both counties charged with protecting public health and also savings as many animals as possible, we’d like to ask you what should be done to improve them? 

Do you agree with critics that changes must be made or do you think staff members are doing the best they can? Tell us your thoughts, Temple Terrace, and share your ideas by commenting below.