Local News - Tick Infestation at Animal Care and Control

Clayton wrote:

Well what do you expect? Go take a look yourself; the place is a dump, a real rat hole. They keep changing the administration and managers out there and everytime they do, it goes further downhill. The people in charge there now have absolutely no animal experience. They were transferred in from the garbage collection department, maybe to save money because they are already on the payroll. Can't hire anybody with experience because Peyton is giving all of our tax dollars to his buddies and special interest groups. The cute little girl that was interviewed on tv was rushed down to the pound from city hall, another employee right out of the mayor's office. She did the quick interview and went right back downtown. There's been promises of a new facility for the animals approved and budgeted every year for several years. That's all on paper not a reality. Nothing good is happening in Jacksonville for people or animals unless your on the "good old boy" track.

Felicia wrote:

All the new Managers from Waste Management had to do was call in Pest Control to spray when the first ticks were spotted weeks ago. For some reason, historically, ticks have been a problem in the dangerous dog run (F-Run), not the entire shelter at AC&C. When you have managers that do not have animal control experience stepping in to try to manage something in which they have no experience, this is what happens, and the poor dogs suffers. A three-prong approach is what was needed: spray for ticks, give a tick dip to the dogs most severely infected with ticks, and use a product like Advantix Flea and Tick to the rest of the dogs in the shelter. What you are hearing on the news now is damage-control, so the new management and the Vet,(who has been there since the old management and should have known about the spraying for ticks) do not look so bad.

Pet Friend wrote:

It has been seven months since the last posting on this thread. Although the tick infestation has been averted (for now), things contine to worsen at the animal shelter. Rumors are flying among the local rescue groups that several puppies that were rescued by the Humane Society were found to have the shelter's identification collars imbedded in their necks; evidence that the shelter continues to flounder.

troublemaker wrote:

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Pest control and the measures that you talk about cost money. We aren't spending money on dumb animals, our tax dollars need to go to more important projects like crime control, the new court house and the image of downtown. What are you thinking?

Nancy Grace wrote:

Should we as citizens of Duval county make a public announcement about how cruel it is to animals when they have to be put asleep because dog owner let their dogs run around and mate?
Unregistered dogs and cats running loose should be caught and spayed before they needlessly breed.
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YOU SAID IT wrote:

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That isn't a rumor. It is hard fact! So the question remains, why hasn't this been front page news? The infighting and political nonsense continues to be the focus at ACC. They can't even agree on cell phone usage and who is responsible for what charges. Command decisions that absolutely violate every imaginable management policy and pratice have been literally thown out the window in favor of the "BECAUSE I SAID SO" mentality that prevails at ACC. If an employee dares to question anything, he is immediately subject to all kinds of retaliation and threats.
It has been said that only a major lawsuit will bring about needed changes. That looks more and more like the answer every day.

Maria wrote:

This is absolutely horrid. What can we do? We must do something. Now

The Pen wrote:

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Maria, it doesn't look like anyone can or will do anything productive to bring about changes at ACC. The so-called animal rights groups are mute on this subject, probably fearing loss of any possible financial or other support from the city. Most are in competition with ACC and so they actually celebrate failures and problems. City officials have historically demonstrated a blind eye to ACC and the problems out there. The news media is aware of a lot of what's going on and it remains a mystery why they fear publishing the need for change. So it has become a serious dillema at the expense of hundreds of suffering pets and those condemned to die unnecessarily. To allow confined animals in cages to have collars actually grow into the animals' necks is unforgiveable. That DID happen at ACC. There has not been a single public disclosure or outcry from anyone. It was not until public disclosure of the tick infestation last Fall that this problem was addressed. Instead of progressive management what is happening is a practice of putting out fires and stifling problems from being made public. For that the entire City of Jacksonville should be VERY ASHAMED. Those calling themselves animal rescuers and animal rights groups should also be VERY ASHAMED. So I say SHAME ON YOU Mr. Mayor, Mr. and Ms. Councilperson and the management of ACC from the Department Director, The Interim Division Chief, the Operations Manager and every single employee for not speaking out, even if you have to do it via a third party. YOU are ALL part of the problem!

Humane Society where R U wrote:

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Why hasn't the Humane Society made a public statement about its involvement in this latest fiasco at AC&C?

stoney wrote:

There are starving people all over the world that don't have anything. Do the right thing and make their lives better. We don't seem to have problem eating cow, even though it a diety in some cultures. Get past the status quo and feed these people. Bring it on.