Connecticut: Shelter manager fired; Investigation finds violent dogs were adopted multiple times after biting

CONNECTICUT -- The city's animal control manager was fired from her job after an investigation found that aggressive dogs with a known history of biting had been adopted by people who were later injured by the dogs, Mayor David Martin announced Wednesday.

In at least two cases, dogs that were returned after adoption because they bit someone were adopted out again, to people who later reported bites and injuries, the mayor said in a release made public after a press briefing Wednesday.

The investigation also found that animal control manager Laurie Hollywood withheld information about dogs' histories and falsified official city records to cover up the adoptions of violent dogs, practiced veterinary medicine without a valid license and failed to manage shelter volunteers activities properly, Martin said.

Director Laurie Hollywood greets one of four Staffordshire Terrier dogs
on Monday, March 17, 2014, that were dropped off at the animal care and
control shelter in Stamford, Conn. Photo: Jason Rearick

"Everyone in the field of animal control should do what can be done to better the lives of animals," the mayor said. "But the first responsibility of the animal control officers is the safety of the people of Stamford."

The decision to terminate Hollywood came following the human resources piece of an ongoing investigation. A criminal investigation into the shelter's operations continues.

"The police department is continuing a criminal investigation, so certain details will continue to be held," Martin said during a press briefing at which he took no questions from reporters.

The investigation was launched in April after a resident adopted an 84-pound mixed-breed dog the city identified in its findings as "Alpha."

Alpha had been brought back to the shelter by a previous owner because the dog bit one person; while returning Alpha, the owner completed an official form documenting that the dog was returned because of biting, the city states.

But after being returned, Alpha was advertised as being "harmless in play," further stating that, "the good news is we know Alpha did SO well in a home environment and should transition very easily back to a home lifestyle."

Alpha was then adopted out again, in violation of city policy. The second owner called Animal Control shortly afterward "to report bites of multiple injuries, one of which was serious and required hospital treatment," according to the city.

The mayor's report also details a second dog, referred to as "Beta" in documents, who was adopted out twice, despite knowledge that the dog had attempted to bite the face of its second owner's child.

A third dog, "Gamma" was adopted from the shelter after having bitten three police officers. The next owner was never notified, and the dog later bit his wife, the city reports. The mayor's statements provided more insight into the conditions at the city's shelter, where documents point to a mismanaged system in which volunteers were given free rein.

"In violation of city policy, the Animal Control Manager sent volunteers to residents' homes, without informing residents of their volunteer status or seeking permission from her supervisor," the mayor stated.. Additionally, Hollywood "did not appropriately manage volunteers at the Animal Control Center, allowing them to assume responsibilities that should only be discharged by the Animal Control Officer."

This isn't the first time the Stamford Animal Control Center has found itself in hot water. The State Bureau of Regulation and Inspection advised Hollywood not to adopt out aggressive dogs in February 2008 and again in June 2011. In the 2011 letter, the bureau wrote Hollywood a letter disapproving of her decision to retrieve a dog with a history of biting. The dog, then in Naugatuck, had originally been adopted out by the Stamford shelter.

"As you are aware, we have discussed the placement of biting dogs in the past," the June 2011 letter reads. "It is the responsibility of State Animal Control to bring attention to the municipality where public safety and liability may be of concern. The Department of Agriculture does not support Animal Control Officers knowingly placing dogs with a documented history of aggression background into contact with the public."

The letter concluded with another reference to liability issues for the city: "It is my responsibility as a State Animal Control Officer to report these situations. My responsibility and concern is for public and for the liability of the city of Stamford."

While the mayor had previously said when the investigation was announced that no animals would be allowed to enter or leave the center, he said Wednesday that 12 dogs, 14 cats, two rabbits and a bird have been adopted out since the investigation began. He also said he will establish a new task force to help lead the city's efforts as it works to address challenges at the shelter. In the meantime, volunteers will not be permitted to lend a hand until the new policies and procedures have been put in place.

(Stamford Advocate - June 19, 2014)