Structural Change Needed at Oakland Animal Shelter

Last week a former supervisor at Oakland Animal Services who was disciplined for alleged animal abuse and neglect was re-hired as an Animal Control Officer, where he will have direct, frequent contact with animals. This week the newly hired, highly touted and hard-working shelter director, Alan Davis, resigned abruptly.

It seems that the Oakland Animal shelter is more successful at retaining alleged animal abusers and lacks the ability to retain qualified, dedicated employees. It is clear that serious disasters and systemic problems continue at Oakland Animal Services.

I urge all animal lovers in Oakland to contact the mayor, the mayor-elect, and their city Councilmember and demand permanent structural change—removal of Oakland Animal Services from the Police Department. Let the police focus on fighting crime, and leave animal welfare to civilians. This model works in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Detroit; it is best for Oakland.