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San Bernardino residents, rescuers press council over shelter deaths and operating problems
Summary
Multiple residents, volunteers and rescue operators urged the City Council to address high animal deaths, medical care, staffing and intake practices at the San Bernardino animal shelter, citing thousands of deaths, delayed rescue pull times and gaps in veterinary care.
A string of public commenters at the San Bernardino City Council meeting on issues surrounding the city animal shelter said the facility is “in crisis,” citing large numbers of animals dying and shortcomings in medical care, staffing and intake practices.
The concerns were raised during the public comment portion of the meeting by residents and rescue volunteers who said animals are arriving dead, are euthanized en masse, or leave the shelter sick and untreated.
A resident who identified herself only as Georgia said: "In September, I counted 489 dead animals...To date, we have 3,563 animals that are dead. 1,938 of those animals were euthanized. 1,281 of those animals were brought in dead...344 died in custody." Georgia also said rescues and adopters are deterred by animals leaving the shelter injured or ill.
Hector Ruiz Romo, founder of the nonprofit Red Line Rescue, told the council he and other rescues face impossible deadlines and gaps in basic medical requirements when pulling animals. "Rescues are…
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