The Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter in Hammond, Louisiana is in the news…
News Reports and Video posted on the Internet August 6, 2008…
Over 170 Animals Euthanized in Tangipahoa Shelter August 6, 2008 : 7:44 PM by Patty Meehan, Network Volunteer
A very sad story: Monday, August 4, approximately 170 dogs and cats were euthanized at the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter. Tangipahoa Parish is just northeast of New Orleans; the shelter is located in Hammond, LA.
The news of the euthanasia had quickly spread among animal welfare activists and rescuer across the state. People involved with the shelter through rescue volunteer work, as well as former shelter employees, immediately responded with outrage and skepticism of the shelter’s account of the situation. An appeal was made to the news media to investigate and uncover the details.
Former Shelter Employees Outraged Over Mass Euthanasia
Nearly 200 Dogs, Cats Killed
POSTED: 10:45 pm CDT August 6, 2008 UPDATED: 11:20 pm CDT August 6, 2008
The former director of the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control Center spoke out on Wednesday after nearly 200 animals were euthanized due to what parish leaders called a threat of a virus.
“It’s a pitiful thing,” Jay Callais said. “Someone has to be responsible for animals being killed for no reason.”
Former employees said it never should have happened.
…Burgess said he authorized the action on the advice of two area veterinarians who examined the animals…
Previous Stories:…
The Spud Show with John “Spud” McConnell – Rachel Sance and Anna Zorilla Aug 06, 2008
OVER 100 DOS AND CATS EUTHENIZED ON THE NORTHSHORE-DID THEY DO THE RIGHT THING?
Euthanized animals raise questions
07:24 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Meg Farris / Eyewitness News
After nearly 170 cats and dogs were euthanized Monday at the Tangipahoa Animal Shelter in Hammond, and people who worked there are speaking out. Some are questioning how the shelter was run and why such drastic measures were taken. (Video posted too)
Shelter: Virus forced decision 170 animals are euthanized
By DEBRA LEMOINE Advocate Florida parishes bureau Published: Aug 6, 2008
The Tangipahoa Shelter Tragedy is now being covered in National Media
KNTV-TV San Francisco http://www.nbc11.com/news/17104326/detail.html
KPTV-TV Portland http://www.kptv.com/news/17104326/detail.html
WHIO-TV Dayton http://www.whiotv.com/news/17104326/detail.html
MSNBC (Internet & Cable News) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26044223/
KTAL-TV Shreveport http://arklatexhomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=28021
WXIA-TV Atlanta http://www.11alive.com/life/pets/story.aspx?storyid=119509
KITV-TV Honolulu http://www.kitv.com/news/17104326/detail.html?rss=hon&psp=nationalnews
News Reports and Video posted on the Internet August 5, 2008…
Shelter Virus Leads To 170 Animal Deaths
Corona virus Spreads Among Dogs, Cats At Shelter In La.
POSTED: 6:50 pm CDT August 5, 2008
UPDATED: 7:20 pm CDT August 5, 2008
170 Animals Euthanized At Shelter
Jonathan Shelley, WDSU News Director
POSTED: 4:58 pm CDT August 5, 2008
UPDATED: 7:09 pm CDT August 5, 2008
Tangipahoa shelter euthanizes over 170 dogs and cats
11:18 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Bigad Shaban / Eyewitness News
About 170 dogs and cats were euthanized Monday at the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter.
…Tangipohoa Animal Rescue worker Barbara Jaeger says the mass euthanasia was completely unnecessary. “I mean I can see euthanizing some that are sick and suffering that should be done but to just euthanize everything in there and we could have found rescue groups to help place them if they were over crowding. It was treatable…
Animal Control quarantined
By Sylvia Schon
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 9:51 AM CDT
NEWS VIDEOS
WWLTV Video: Watch the Story: Tangipahoa shelter euthanizes over 170 dogs and cats
WDSU Video: Animal Shelter Problem
The shelter pets…
You can see about twenty one photos of the animals that were killed on August 4th. All of them but Joe were euthanized. Joe was safe in a foster home…
Adoptable Pets from Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control (Hammond, LA)
Female Teacup Chihuahua Saved
[/caption]
Photos of the dogs saved by Tangi Adopt A Rescue (TAAR) 22 photos of the eight dogs rescued from the killing at TPAC on Aug 4, 2008.
All of the rescued dogs/puppies were vet checked today and so far they look pretty good – none are deadly sick yet – worms, kennel cough, and other treatable minor problems so far.
Details:
Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control (TPAC)
Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter is a governmental agency under the Tangipahoa Parish Council. We protect animals and people throughout Tangipahoa Parish by enforcing city, parish & state laws. Established in 1997, our department takes in between 5,000 and 6,000 animals per year – animals which are lost, unwanted, or dangerous.
Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control
15487 Club Deluxe Road
Hammond, Louisiana 70403
Phone: 985-543-0215
Fax: 982-230-0337
Email: tpac20@tangicouncil.com
Websites: www.myhammond.com/tpac/ and http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/LA32.html
Telephone calls are answered after 8:00 a.m. Monday through Friday. If both lines are busy, a message can be left on voice mail.
Phone (985) 543-0215
Fax (985) 230-0337
Donations are needed for the rescued dogs. The few survives.
Chocolate Colored Puppy Saved
Friends of the Shelter has established a special fund for the eight dogs and puppies saved from the killing at the shelter on August 4, 2008. Tangi Adopt A Rescue (TAAR) a Tangipahoa Parish animal rescue groups has the animals in their care and they will be available for adoption after a 2 week quarantine and another veterinarian health check.
Friends of the Shelter
P.O. Box 351
Hammond, LA 70404
Designate TPAC Rescued Animals Fund for Donations
Donations will go for the rescued animals in the care of…
Tangi Adopt A Rescue (TAAR)
www.taar.petfinder.com and http://tangiadoptarescue.wordpress.com/
Kentwood, Louisiana 70444
Email taar.rescue [at] gmail.com (remove spaces and turn the [at] to @)
I think one of the Veterinarians that was called in to Euthanize all the shelter animals maybe posted on this web page.
http://usanorthamerica.net/la/hammond/tangi/html/tpac-veterinarians.html
Don’t forget to contact the Tangipahoa Parish Council Members
District 1:
Hon. Tom Tolar
P. O. Box 472
Kentwood, LA 70444
(H) 985-229-5296 (O) 985-969-1843
District 2:
Hon. Tennis Rick
64357 Hwy. 1054
Roseland, LA 70456
(H) 985-748-6330 (O) 985-748-6330
District 3:
Hon. Michael Petitto
P.O. Box 613
Arnitc, LA 70422
(H) 985-748-4780 (O) 985-748-5782
District 4:
Hon. Carlo S. Bruno
P.O. Box 1274
Independence, LA 70443
(H) 985-878-4944 (O) 985-878-4944
District 5:
Hon. Howard G. “Buddy” Rigdel
17037 Ridgel Road
Tickfaw, LA 70466
(H) 985-542-4065 (O) 985-542-3531
District 6:
Hon. Ronnie Bankston
43229 Sweetpea Lane
Hammond, LA 70401
(H) 985-567-3976 (O) 985-345-2875
District 7:
Hon. Lionel Wells
1700 Mooney Avenue
Hammond, LA 70403
(H) 985-542-1499
District 8:
Hon. Carlos D. Notariano
43327 Olive Branch
Hammond, LA 70403
(H) 985-419-2333 (O) 985-542-4374
District 9:
Hon. Debbie Edwards
39108 Keaghey Road
Ponchatoula, LA 70454
(H) 985-386-2125
District 10:
Hon. Bobby Cortez
42102 Jefferson Drive
Hammond, LA 70403
(H) 985-294-6010 (O) 985-542-1581
Tangipahoa Parish Government
Home Office: 206 E. Mulberry St.
Amite, LA 70422
Ph: (985) 748-3211
Fax: (985) 748-7576
August 6, 2008 at 5:50 am |
Please contact people in the Tangipahoa Parish Government and demand a full investigation of the killing of all these animals and ask for animal shelter records be post on the internet where the public can view them at will!
August 6, 2008 at 6:01 am |
Someone just emailed me this info on the Corona virus…
**VACCINATIONS NOT RECOMMENDED**
Multiple components in vaccines compete with each other for the immune system and result in lesser immunity for each individual disease as well as increasing the risk of a reaction. Canine Corona Virus is only a disease of puppies. It is rare, self limiting (dogs get well in 3 days without treatment). Cornell & Texas A&M have only diagnosed one case each in the last 7 years. Corona virus does not cause disease in adult dogs.*
===================================
So these animals did not have to be killed at all!
Call parish and demand a full investigation!
August 6, 2008 at 6:02 am |
Pet’s Health – http://www.petshealth.com/dr_library/fip.html
Feline enteric corona viruses cause mild intestinal disease in kittens up to 12 weeks. The infection is common and probably exists in most homes with more than one cat. It may recur throughout the cat’s life but is rarely serious.
======================================
So they didn’t need to kill all the cats and kittens at the shelter!
Call parish and demand a full investigation!
August 6, 2008 at 9:15 pm |
Just found this on the Internet:
gross mismanagement of Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter
Posted by badger on August 6, 2008
The Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter overzealously euthanized over 170 animals in their care on Monday, with Gordon Burgess stating that there was a highly infectious airborne virus in the population. The Advocate (story has much greater detail) reports that Burgess states that it was a coronavirus, which clearly shows that most strains are spread through contact with feces of infected animals. The canine variety isn’t even fatal.
Yep. Those animals were killed for no good reason. If there was indeed a viral outbreak, it probably wouldn’t have taken place if hours hadn’t already been cut to clean the facility.
The management needs to be fired, because an objective investigation is bound to reveal that the animals were killed out of sheer convenience in cutting corners with the budget. Burgess shuffling around saying that everything is under control is an embarrassment.
http://bloodytangipahoa.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/gross-mismanagement-of-tangipahoa-parish-animal-shelter/
http://snipurl.com/3bxrv
August 6, 2008 at 9:19 pm |
Someone just emailed me this info
http://www.tangipahoa.org/Directory/contactus.cfm
Above is the contact form for Tangipahoa to register your disgust and demand the immediate termination of the shelter director (who I have heard is just an ex-cop with no qualifications whatsoever to be running an animal shelter). I have mailed a copy of the News story previously sent directly to HSUS in Washington and asked them to investigate.
http://www.wwltv.com/topstories/stories/wwl080508mldogs.1b665c77.html
Please read the attached and forward to all your friends/relatives/coworkers. I know of no disease that cross contaminates dogs and cats except rabies and very little with dogs is airborne except maybe kennel cough which is easily cured with Robitussin DM. the Corona virus is a fishey excuse as well as Dr. Faust had previously told us that Corona virus had been virtually obliterated thanks to vaccines.
REMEMBER: Adopting a pet is the only opportunity a human being ever has to choose a relative! http://www.pontchartrainhumanesociety.org
August 6, 2008 at 9:38 pm |
Vérité Parlant a New Orleans writer regrouping and returning to blogging has posted and article on this TPAC matter here…
“More than 170 Dogs, Cats Killed at a La. Animal Shelter to Contain Viral Outbreak” – http://bigsole.blogspot.com/2008/08/more-than-170-dogs-cats-killed-at-la.html
Thank you Vérité Parlant
August 6, 2008 at 9:55 pm |
[...] Read Article: Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter News " Tangi Adopt A Rescue’s Blog [...]
August 6, 2008 at 11:36 pm |
This is so wrong, I can not believe innocent animals we killed and in that large of an amount. Something has to be done to whom ever made this desicion. I have two adopted pets and they are the best dogs ever. I don’t see how someone could kill an animal…
August 7, 2008 at 3:17 am |
The parish euthanized 170 dogs and cats, saying it was due to “airborne” corona virus (corona virus is not airborne). Several of the cats were in another building and never were in contact with the so call infected cats and dogs. 2 vets were brought in, neither did any testing to see if there was a disease, no blood or tissue samples were taken. Several kennel staff have resigned over this appalling and unnecessary killing. One of the volunteers was allowed to remove 9 dogs the day of the killing, so was there a real threat? This was so unnecessary due do to $100k in grant money sitting at the parish office that is suppose to go to the care and well being of these animals.
And if this was such a threat then why were the animals disposed of in the parish landfill and not cremated. This director has let animals leave the shelter with his family and friends without paying any fees or having them spayed or neutered per Louisiana Law. The shelter director is unqualified for the position and so unknowledgeable in animal care and disease he ordered the removal of all furniture and electronics in the kennel area and threw it in the trash because he said it was contaminated. There were only a few sick dogs but no cats because they are kept in separate areas. Please view the links and call or fax the parish president and let him know the outrage you feel. We are supposed to be able to present our concerns and demand the resignation of Donald Doty, the director, at the next parish council meeting on Monday August 11th at 5:30.
August 7, 2008 at 2:10 pm |
This is wrong from any perspective and I truly hope that the people responsible are prosecuted fully. They blithely say that the animals were euthanized (in a horrific manner) due to an epidemic, when the truth is that they were euthanized due to an inept director, and a head of animal control who hates animals. Can’t think of a better recipe for disaster than that combination.
I truly respect the employees who resigned over this and firmly believe that something good will come of this tragedy, but first, the truth must come out. These animals did not need to die!
August 7, 2008 at 6:09 pm |
[...] notable that few or no articles have named the director of Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter, Donald Doty, the man who should be held culpable for this decision. The Humane Society of Louisiana has been [...]
August 8, 2008 at 11:04 pm |
I think the key here is not just “investigation.” That is much too loose of a term and can be interpreted to mean many things. INDEPENDENT investigation is warranted. This will provide not only an unbiased assessment to the public as to why there was (or was not) a need for this mass euthanasia, but will also clear any future suspicion in this shelter’s dealings. Unless the shelter feels this mass procedure was not, in fact, warranted–there is absoutely no reason why an unrelated, independent investigative unit from ANOTHER PARISH, CITY OR STATE should not be called in.
Also, if in fact, the Parish president acted upon the counsel of two local veterinarians, and if, in fact, an independent investigation proves this act was unneccesary, the veterinary medicine licensing boards should be contacted for disciplinary action.
Also, it is my understanding the Director was “out of town” when this event occurred, however i find it difficult to believe this action would have been authorized without his approval.
If the Tangipahoa Parish AS acted in accordance with health and safety regulations, an independent, and public investigation is the ONLY way to clear their sullied name at this point. everyone attending the meeting Monday night at the Hammond Court Annex Building at 5:30 pm…DEMAND an investigative unit (the further away the better to avoid “good ol’ boy” politics), and FURTHERMORE, DEMAND that a precedence be set in place so that NO mass euthanasia can occur again without a CITY COUNSEL-WIDE vote!
September 28, 2008 at 10:42 pm |
I received this job opening via e-mail. Is this a valid job opening?
From: Lydia Caldwell [mailto:lydiacaldwell@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 9:00 PM
To: Lyd
Subject: Job Opportunity for Animal Lover!
Hi, Folks!
The animal shelter in Hammond, Louisiana is in need of a new Shelter Director and the applicants do NOT need to have shelter experience! Instead, they need to have the determination to save all healthy and treatable animals (instead of putting them down).
Experience in fundraising and reaching out to the community is a major plus, as this individual will be working closely with rescue groups, fosters and volunteers.
The salary range is 40K-50K, plus full benefits package, including health insurance and retirement (this is a city position).
Hammond, Louisiana is a small town. Its people are known as “salt-of-the-earth”. The cost of living in Hammond is very low! Nice neighborhood nearby the shelter.
To better familiarize yourself with No-Kill (of healthy and treatable animals) sheltering, visit: http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org
To learn more about the position and apply, please contact Nicole Sica at: nicole.sica@hotmail.com (cell: 832-723-7370) BY this Friday (9/26/08). Be aware that Nicole is presently moving, so she’s not glued to the phone or internet right now, but she will be looking for your e-mail!
If you are not interested in applying for this position, PLEASE forward this e-mail to EVERY animal lover and animal rescue group that you know ASAP! It could really make a huge, life-saving difference!
Thank you!
Lydia
November 19, 2008 at 6:38 pm |
Please note that some of the news reports links may no longer be any good. I just tested one and received this message…
Article Not Available
The article that you are trying to view is no longer available through this Web site. The content is copyrighted by the Associated Press, which requires WDSU.com to delete its stories two weeks after they are originally posted.
—-
But I did make copies of some of them on my computer, so if you give me the title you are looking for I may have it. — Joni Solis taar . rescue [at] gmail . com (remove spaces and replace [at] with @)
November 22, 2008 at 6:37 pm |
>precedence be set in place so that NO mass euthanasia can occur again without a CITY COUNSEL-WIDE vote!
This is a good idea, thanks for your important input, but can any of them be trusted to go against what the parish president wants?
November 23, 2008 at 1:28 am |
[...] blog postings on the mass killing of Aug. 4th… Tangipahoa Parish Animal Shelter News Investion to open on the mass shelter [...]
January 8, 2009 at 5:03 am |
this is for the humane society in tangiapahoa parish RE:john+dorin houwse ihave seen the puppymill and i got puppy from them in may the puppy was sick and i went out to ther place to return the puppy wen john tok the puppy in the hous hes wife dorine came back with the puppy and thrue the sick puppy in my truck and screamt thats your puppy now and we dont care the puppy was deat at my vets the next day,wher another puppy from the same litter just hat died then another lady contactet me from miss..she also had apuppy from the same litterand it was also dead i seen the mama dog in a smal pet carier in ther trailerwith the 4 pupsshe coulden move that was wen i pict up the puppy i didn realy feel good about the condision of the breeding fac. but felt sorry for the animals and i hear from so many poeple that have the same storry about them poepleup ther in walker they must be stopt for good my heard goes out to the poor animals,that have to put up whith that nasty place i will be glade lo help in court ef needet you can contact me at my email ps. ther is a report made by alot of us at the houmane sociaty in denamsprings last may