In DeSoto County, FLorida New Allegations Charge Abuse

Thanks to the hard work of one of our members (who I won't name unless she says it's okay) and all of you who made calls and wrote letters, the Desoto County ACO (Jennifer Foster) alleged to have been abusing animals and improperly euthanising (among other misdeeds) is back under investigation!! She has been removed from her post (unfortunately on paid administrative leave but at least away from the animals) pending this new investigation. See the story below:

http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive4/030406/tp6de6.htm?date=030406&story=tp6de6.htm

03/04/06

DeSoto animal control chief removed as county launches new investigation

The supervisor of DeSoto County Animal Control, who was investigated and exonerated by the Sheriff's Office following complaints that she abused and killed animals in anger, misappropriated county funds and fired subordinates in retribution, is under investigation again.

County officials relieved Jennifer Foster of her duties Thursday, sent her home and placed her on "paid administrative leave" pending an investigation into "activities unrelated to the allegations of former employees or the Sheriff's Office investigation conducted last fall," according to county spokesman Matt Holloman.

Holloman, who said he was speaking on behalf of County Administrator Craig Coffey, declined to provide any details of those activities that prompted the latest Foster investigation and her removal from county property.

Foster could not be reached for comment Friday.

Debby Merkin, Foster's replacement, described herself Friday as a code compliance officer with the county's development department who began her career as a county employee several years ago serving with Animal Control.

Speaking from her new office in the Animal Control department's three-month-old, 4,200-square-foot, $600,000 headquarters, Merkin said she first learned of her new position as the department's supervisor the day before from her supervisor, Gorge Hernandez.

"He called me in and told me I was to assume supervision of Animal Control until further notice effective immediately," she said. "He said my previous experience working in that department would be helpful and that I was needed there."

Merkin said her initial stint working in the Animal Control department ended before Foster's tenure there began.

Foster had supervised the county's Animal Control department for three and a half years.

At least four former employees represented by an attorney claim they were unfairly terminated by Foster, and have been trying for months to have Foster removed from her position, complaining in sworn statements that she abused and killed animals in anger, misappropriated county funds and fired subordinates in retribution if they did not help her conceal her actions.

In detailed depositions taken from the former employees and others by attorney Rodney Gerling, Foster was accused of kicking cages and screaming at animals, euthanizing animals without sedating them, failing to euthanize them completely and disposing of them while they were still alive, and artificially inflating and improperly accounting for adoption fees.

A subsequent investigation by the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office -- the county department that had previously employed Foster prior to her transfer to Animal Control -- found no criminal wrongdoing in her conduct.

County commissioners subsequently released a joint statement strongly supporting Foster and denouncing her accusers.

Gerling said Friday that if Foster's removal from county employment proves to be permanent, he believes his clients would most likely drop their pursuit of legal action against the county.

"I'd have to talk with them first, of course," he said. "But based on prior conversations with them, I don't think it would be likely they would follow through on a suit. Their main concern has always been for the welfare of the animals and the employees there.

"They were never interested in punishing the county," he said. "They were trying to help the county."

You can e-mail Barry Millman at bmillman@sun-herald.com.

By BARRY MILLMAN

Staff Writer

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New, egregious violations are charged in Florida

-----Original Message-----
From: USAnimalProtect
To: unitedstatesanimalprotection@yahoogroups.com; animalshelterreform@yahoogroups.com
Cc: katie.walter@comcast.net; DRCTBD; desertgardens@tds.net
Sent: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 15:15:15 -0400
Subject: DeSoto County, FL ACO - Allegations of EXTGENSIVE Cruelty and Negligence

PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST

We need everyone to make calls to the Sheriff's Department, County Attorney, and State Attorney regarding the extensive abuse and negligence occurring at the DeSoto County, FL Animal Control. The ACO, Jennifer Foster, has been accused of multiple violations of county code and state law and it appears that county officials are protecting her and ignoring the signed affidavits of former employees and rescuers and pictures supporting the accusations. The allegations against Ms. Foster include:

- Leaving a dog caged in an animal control truck overnight and for an entire summer day without water or food

- Kicking a kennel with a poodle in it and screaming at the dog "you don't f**king bark at me.I can't wait to kill you." She then proceeded to kill the dog. Kicking cages and screaming at animals occurred on multiple occasions.

- Keeping animals in cages and not allowing any exercise. Two specific dogs were kept in cages for months without ever leaving or being allowed physical human contact.

- Keeping several animals outside in the sun without cover or shade. Many animals suffered heat attacks. This lack of adequate cover or shade is a violation of county ordinance.

- Not properly sedating animals prior to euthanasia. Animals were often re-sedated inhumanely; many attest to seeing Ms. Foster using her foot to hold down an animal and then injecting them with FatalPlus through the heart or belly instead of a vein. Animals often would wake up at the dump and need to be brought back to animal control. Additionally, animals were often left alone during euthanasia (also a violation of county code).

- Euthanizing animals out of anger, even animals that were claimed by rescue or even by owners, and then instructing employees to lie about what had happened.

- Allowing friends to use veterinary services with the resulting costs being shouldered by the county.

- Overcharging adoption fees; it appears that the money resulting from the additional charges is unaccounted for.

- Not reporting cash donations; these were used at Ms. Foster's discretion.

- Repeatedly turning away assistance from rescues, including tarps, food, cages, and other essentials. When items were accepted, they often could not be accounted for on subsequent visits by the individual who had made the donation.

We need your help to put a stop to this immediately. Please contact District Attorney Howard Holtzendorf, State Attorney Earl Moreland, Sheriff Vernon Keen, and Sheriff's Lt. Curt Mays and ask why a thorough investigation is not being undertaken. In an article published by the Sun Herald (See http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/101405/tp3ch8.htm?date=101405&story=tp3ch8.htm), it states that an investigation is underway, but those who submitted signed affidavits have yet to be contacted. County officials have had the above information for nearly a month and it appears they are trying to sweep this under the carpet. WE CANNOT ALLOW THIS WOMAN TO CONTINUE SERVING AS ACO; she clearly does not care for the animals and has been extremely negligent in her duties. When you speak to the officials in charge of the investigation, let them know that you have seen the photos supporting inadequate care of these animals (visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UnitedStatesAnimalProtection/ and click on Photos to see the cruelty of this facility; also see attached photos). At a minimum, Jennifer Foster should be suspe! nded fro m her position while an investigation is undertaken. Politely let them know that members of the animal welfare community are watching their actions and that we expect a thorough and open investigation to take place immediately based on the evidence already provided. Ask why those who submitted affidavits have not been interviewed and why county codes are not being enforced. It is unlikely that you will be well-received but please be courteous and remember why you are calling - for the animals. Thanks for your help. Contact phone numbers, including that of U.S. Animal Protection, are below. Please call ASAP; also, if you have any media contacts, forward this information to them as well. Thank you.

Sheriff Vernon Keen and Sheriff's Lt. Curt Mays 863-993-4700 (ask why the investigation has not resulted in improved conditions and adherence to county code at the pound; why witnesses have not been contacted, and when we can expect to learn the results of their "investigation")

District Attorney Howard Holtzendorf 863-494-4800 (ask why the supposed investigation has not included an interview of those who submitted signed affidavits and why the conditions at the pound are not being improved - the animals are still lacking adequate shelter, food, water, and healthcare required by law)

State Attorney Earl Moreland 941-951-5400 (let him know that the County's investigation has been extremely lacking and that it appears the Florida Bureau of Investigation should be called in to take over)

U.S. Animal Protection 888-710-4184



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