San Bernardino animal commission hears public criticism, gets updates on sick ward, modular kennels, staffing and spay-neuter partnerships

Angry public comments accusing shelter leadership of mismanagement opened the Oct. 9 meeting of the San Bernardino Animal Control Commission, followed by staff briefings that outlined construction and program plans intended to expand capacity and reduce shelter stays.

A resident who identified herself as Georgie Health accused shelter leadership of “misuse of funds” and urged commissioners to vote a “no confidence” in the director. “Misuse of funds, egregious failures, and unjustified deaths of innocent animals are happening under your watch cloaked in darkness,” Health said, adding that the shelter had “inflated this department’s budget to over $10,000,000 while continuing to systematically kill hundreds of animals each month.” Health called for the resignation of commissioners and the director.

The public comment was followed by a detailed staff update led by Director Watson and Deputy Director Jasmine Glover McNamara. Director Watson described ongoing and planned facility improvements, staffing updates, volunteer activity and community partnerships intended to raise return-to-owner rates and overall save rates.

Director Watson said construction on a dedicated sick/ isolation ward has begun and staff “expect the completion of that building by the end of this month,” adding that three walls and insulation were already in place and contractors will follow to install electrical, sewer and HVAC systems. The commission was told that a modular office building approved by the mayor and city council should be delivered in the next few weeks to…