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Resident alleges dogs are being neglected at Hamilton Township animal shelter; council requests re-evaluation
Summary
A resident alleged at the April 21 meeting that a dog named Merlin has not been taken from a shelter cage since Nov. 20 and has been walked just eight times in 435 days; council members and administration requested a re-evaluation and asked staff to report back by the next meeting.
Steve Clegg told the council that a dog named Merlin has been confined and seldom exercised during an extended stay at the municipal animal shelter. "Merlin has not been out of his cage since November 20th," Clegg said, and he added that over the dog’s 435-day stay Merlin had been taken from the cage only eight times. Clegg also asked how the shelter’s behavioral classification process justifies labeling the dog a "red dog" and alleged that shelter staff sometimes retaliate against critics.
Councilmember Richard Tighe disputed the characterization of shelter practices, saying the shelter has been operated as a no-kill facility under the current administration and that euthanasia occurs only for severe injury or danger. Business Administrator Kathryn Monzo confirmed that a re-evaluation of the dog had been agreed upon and said she would find out when that would occur. Councilmember Charles Whalen asked for an evaluation update by the next council meeting.
Why this matters: allegations about prolonged confinement, classification practices and possible retaliatory treatment raise animal welfare and operational transparency concerns that the council asked staff to address.
What happens next: administration staff agreed to arrange a second behavioral evaluation and report back to the council; the council requested an update by its next meeting on May 5.
