Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Welfare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents demand written responses after claims of high euthanasia rates at regional shelter
Summary
A Chino resident and animal‑welfare volunteers told the council they have documented high euthanasia rates at the ARC joint‑powers shelter, asked the city for written clarification and oversight actions, and said one dog, 'Maverick,' was spared after a rescue intervened.
Several residents used the council's public‑comment period on Feb. 17 to press for transparency and funding changes at the regional animal shelter operated through a joint powers authority (ARC).
Maureen Moe Mendoza, who identified herself as a Chino resident and an advocate for animals housed at ARC, delivered a written demand for a formal, written response from the city. "This letter serves as a formal demand for written clarification regarding serious concerns," she said, and she alleged that "healthy animals are being euthanized due to space limitation, staff shortage, and operational failures." Mendoza said she had submitted multiple written questions and public‑records requests and received only one written reply.
Mendoza asked the council to require recorded ARC board meetings and quarterly statistics on intake, euthanasia, foster placement and outcomes, and she requested that her letter be entered into the official minutes. She referenced a recent case—"Maverick"—and said that ARC's executive director, "Clint," had indicated the dog would be euthanized unless a rescue formally pulled him; Mendoza said a rescuer later saved Maverick.
Mayor and staff response: The mayor acknowledged the comments and told Mendoza that there were calls and people who intervened that Mendoza might not know about; no further formal written response or action was recorded in the transcript.
Other public commenters and volunteers described challenges with TNR (trap‑neuter‑return) operations, limited display cages at the shelter, and requests for more volunteer and foster support.
What comes next: Mendoza requested a written response explaining why euthanasia for space and operational reasons continues, what corrective measures Chino as a JPA member is taking, and why prior transparency requests have not been answered. The transcript does not record a follow‑up written commitment from the city during the meeting.
