County Animal Shelter asks for Investigation into Possible Dog Selling Ring

CONROE, TX -- Montgomery County Animal Shelter Director Dr. Todd Hayden has asked the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to investigate former staff members that he believes were selling dogs out of the shelter for personal profit.

Hayden, who made this claim in Montgomery County Commissioners Court Tuesday, said this may have been happening for several years.

"In our county, if you lost your dog and you were on your way to work and it was picked up and brought to our shelter, it was probably flipped before you got home," he said. "It went to a rescue and it was sold. A lot of people made a lot of money."

MSCO Lt. Brady Fitzgerald confirmed that the sheriff’s office was actively investigating Hayden’s claims, but provided little else about the investigation.

Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack and Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark said they were both unaware of an ongoing investigation. However, Noack said the allegations should be taken seriously and Hayden should not have spoken about it in open court.

“I was not aware there was an investigation,” Noack said. “If there is an ongoing criminal investigation, I don’t think it is appropriate for a county employee to divulge that information in court.”

Meanwhile, Noack issued a press release Tuesday saying the county was continuing the fight for positive changers at the shelter.

As part of that change, Noack made the motion to shift the animal shelter oversight from Montgomery County Precinct 4 Commissioner Jim Clark, to all of commissioner court,.
However, that motion was voted down 4-1, with only Noack in favor.

The court did however agree to host a public workshop to discuss the direction and oversight of the animal shelter, the date and time has not yet been determined.

“Our constituents are concerned about the future of the Montgomery County Animal Shelter under current leadership,” Noack said in his statement. “The animal shelter is a countywide operation and it would be beneficial for the entire court to have a say in its daily operations.”

More than 12 citizens spoke out during court about the lingering problems at the shelter including the nine-month backlog for animals to be spayed and neutered, rescue groups being shunned and phones being ignored.

Ultimately, the court did approve Commissioner Noack’s second motion that the entire court, not just Commissioner Clark, would handle the hiring of Hayden’s replacement as the new shelter director.
“I was pleased with this result,” said Commissioner Noack. “In the future, I look forward to not only the animal shelter, but all department heads reporting to the court where they belong."

Image: Jeffrey Beall via Flickr