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Residents press Multnomah County over shelter practices after several recent euthanasias
Summary
Four public commenters and volunteers asked Multnomah County to reinstate a 'pets in crisis' program, hire a medical director for Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS), and provide transparency about rounds‑review decisions after at least three animals (Azul, Mella, Noel) were reported euthanized in January 2026.
Several residents used the board's public comment period to urge changes at Multnomah County Animal Services.
A series of speakers described individual cases they said raised concerns about shelter practices. Sophie Abes Abesyan said a sample of adoptions from Jan. 13–19 showed 11 of 16 dogs were adopted out unaltered and that the agency's restricted Spay and Neuter Fund had a balance of $69,040 as of Dec. 17, 2025; she asked why the fund was not being used for community spay/neuter clinics and called for a medical director to oversee animal health rather than a non‑veterinarian program supervisor. "We continue to ask for a medical director to be hired as the head of animal health," Sophie said.
Other speakers recounted euthanasia decisions they said were questionable. Connor Smith described 'Mella,' transferred to MCAS and euthanized on Jan. 8, 2026, and said records showed progressive behavior improvements but limited medical follow‑up after the third intake. Anna (no last name provided) described 'Noel,' a six‑month, 40‑pound shepherd puppy found as a stray on Dec. 9 and euthanized on Jan. 8, 2026 after rounds review; Anna asked the board for transparency about who sits on rounds review and about rounds review records.
A public commenter who identified themself as 'Injured and pissed off' recounted seven attacks on their service animal and criticized animal control oversight. Volunteer speaker Lightning suggested posting the county audit and the contract with Baker Tilly at the central library and urged audits and whistleblowers to disclose waste or abuse if present.
These statements were made during the public comment period; the transcript records them as citizen testimony rather than as staff reports. The board did not take a formal action on MCAS operations during this meeting; public testimony concluded and the agenda moved on to the auditor presentation and subsequent business.
The public raised three concrete, repeated requests: reinstate the 'pets in crisis' emergency boarding program that allowed temporary care for animals of people who were hospitalized or incarcerated; hire a medical director for MCAS; and publish rounds‑review membership and decisions to improve transparency.
