3 More Animal Welfare League Euthanasia Technicians On Probation

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL — Three more employees from Animal Welfare League (AWL) in Chicago Ridge saw their state licenses placed on "indefinite probation" amid findings that they improperly euthanized shelter animals. The three employees were targeted in an investigation initiated Feb. 27, 2018 by the Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Recognition.

The disciplined AWL euthanasia technicians’ state licenses were suspended indefinitely for a minimum of two years pursuant to the Illinois Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act. Named in the complaints are Linda Schickel of Worth, Donna Sendra of Palos Hills and Berwyn-resident Theresa Harris. The Illinois Department of Finance and Professional Recognition (IDFPR) is the regulatory agency charged with monitoring the state's financial institutions and overseeing professional licenses in the state of Illinois.

The complaints, provided to Patch by IDFPR, detail dozens of instances between 2016 and 2019, during which the AWL employees licensed by the state to perform euthanasia did not weigh animals prior to putting them down. Failure to weigh an animal before it is euthanized can result in receiving a less-than fatal dose of medication, causing the animal to suffer a slow and agonizing death.

Schickel, a night supervisor, was found to have improperly euthanized more than 140 dogs, cats and wildlife, according to IDFPR. She was also cited for acting outside the scope of her license in aiding and abetting former AWL President Linda Estrada, who was handed a cease-and-desist order in 2018 by the state for allegedly practicing veterinary medicine without a license.

According to the complaint, Schickel helped Estrada perform the duties of certified euthanasia technician and licensed veterinarian. Schickel is said to have left notations in the shelter's euthanasia log book indicating that she had put animals to sleep under the orders of Estrada, who is not a licensed veterinarian.

Animal Welfare League was slapped with a $10,000 fine in November 2018. The animal shelter's state euthanasia license was placed on "indefinite probation with practice restrictions" for a minimum of five years at AWL's Chicago Ridge facility at 10305 Southwest Highway, and its Chicago location at 6224 S Wabash Ave.

In June, the state licenses of AWL euthanasia technicians Mark Estrada and Steven Mensching were suspended for a minimum of two years. Both accepted a settlement deal in June rather than face possible harsher fines and disciplinary actions. Brian Selmeister, who was accused of improperly euthanizing 488 animals, voluntarily surrendered his euthanasia license.

Former shelter employee Mensching has alleged Estrada ordered the shelter’s euthanasia technicians to over dose the animals, even though she was not licensed to give such orders. Such directions countered the training he received required to obtain a state euthanasia license.

“We'd always go over [the animal's estimated weight] for the tranquilizer before the kill shot,” he told Patch after the June hearing.

Chicago Ridge Trustee Ed Kowalski, who is trying to get an ordinance passed addressing the issues at the troubled animal shelter, called the latest rounds of suspensions a “violation of the public trust.”

“How many strays that weren't able to be reunited with their owners were euthanized because of improper record keeping,” Kowalski said. “How many lost and stray animals were euthanized inhumanely? These animals were somebody’s beloved pet that suffered at the hands of improper euthanasia.”

While their licenses are on probation, Schickle, Harris and Sendra, as well as the other suspended AWL employees, will be required to report changes in their employment, home address, phone number, email address, arrests, or any criminal or civil legal action taken against them. The three are also required to report quarterly to the state.