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Public commenter alleges medical negligence at Multnomah County Animal Services after dog deaths
Summary
During public comment, a witness recounted the death of a dog in Multnomah County Animal Services care and alleged shelter staff relied on volunteers and non-veterinary technicians rather than timely veterinarian intervention, calling for a veterinarian with a DVM license to oversee animal health.
At the start of the Multnomah County Board meeting, a public commenter who identified herself as Anna spoke during the non-agenda public-comment period and alleged failures in Multnomah County Animal Services (MCAS) that she said contributed to the death of a dog called Sir Lunchalot.
Anna recounted that volunteers first reported kennel cough on the 27th, that a certified veterinary technician (CVT) later documented lethargy and profuse drooling, and that by the morning of the 29th the dog was found with labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea and blood in the kennel and died shortly thereafter. "According to the notes, that was the first and only time he was seen by a vet," Anna said, adding that volunteers were assigned medical monitoring and that she believes MCAS needs "someone with a doctor of veterinary medicine license in charge of animal health." She said the pattern included two recent dog deaths and multiple sick animals.
Anna criticized what she described as a top-down failure of timely medical response and called for a restructuring of MCAS and culture change rather than investments only in facilities. She also referenced Oregon administrative rules concerning the practice of veterinary medicine when arguing that non‑veterinarian staff should not be making medical diagnoses.
The board did not take action during public comment. Board members thanked the speakers for testifying; county staff did not provide a response during the meeting. Another public commenter, who identified legally as "Injured and pissed off," described personal social-service matters; a third commenter, "Lightning," used the public-comment period to lodge accusations against county property practices and made unrelated claims about sports franchises.
What was not established at the meeting: The remarks are allegations and were presented during public comment; the county did not provide concurrent evidence or a staff response at the hearing that substantiated or refuted the specific claims about MCAS medical practice. The meeting transcript does not identify any pending disciplinary or investigatory outcome.
Next steps: The board did not vote or direct staff publicly during the meeting on MCAS procedures; follow-up would require a formal staff report or investigation request from the board, none of which was recorded in the meeting transcript.
