Appeal to California Attorney General to investigate Los Angeles animal control

For Immediate Release
August 30, 2008

CONTACT:
Ryan Olshan
Phone: (949) 419-6160
Email: ryan [at] ryanolshan [dot] com


LOCAL CITIZEN APPEALS TO THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO INVESTIGATE THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Irvine, CA – Irvine citizen Ryan Olshan appealed to the California Attorney General's Office today to investigate the County of Los Angeles. Under the leadership of Department Director Marcia Mayeda, the Department of Animal Care and Control has continued to engage in alleged violations of Department and Board of Supervisor policy and procedure and State and Federal law. The most blatant alleged violations of the law and policy and procedure include:

Causing animals unnecessary suffering, sickness, and death
Not providing animals with proper medical care
Not providing animals with adequate nutrition, shelter, exercise, and water
Not treating animals kindly and humanely
Routine failure to hold employees accountable
Retaliating against employees, volunteers, and members of the public for exposing patterns of neglect.

"Earlier this month, Department Director Marcia Mayeda was under review by County Counsel regarding an email I produced to CEO William Fujioka instructing staff to delete emails while under an audit conducted by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency," said Ryan Olshan. "Mr. Fujioka did not allow the Office of County Investigations, Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, or US Attorney to conduct an investigation. County Counsel found no wrongdoing on Mayeda's part despite that the contents of the email stated, 'Josie, thanks for your comments – i agree that everyone did an outstanding job on this matter! However, we do not need a paper trail on this. Everyone, please delete these emails from your computers and empty the trash files. Thanks!'"

"I'm aware of another incident where Mayeda instructed staff to delete emails and empty their trash files so they don't leave a paper trail," stated Olshan. "I informed Mr. Fujioka of this and so far he has shown no interest in investigating this new allegation."

"In 2006-2007, Dr. Dena Mangiamele conducted an audit of the Department," said Olshan. "Many of her findings were both disturbing and shocking. Dr. Mangiamele noted that the Department possessed only one controlled substance certificate for all 6 shelters, employees falsified controlled substance logs, inaccurate and non-compliant controlled substance logs, and controlled substances not stored pursuant to Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations Section 1301.75. All of this is in violation of Federal law. Dr. Mangiamele also witnessed a conscious unanesthetized cat that was euthanized by intracardiac injection, which is a violation of California Penal Code Section 597, and she noticed several animals that were irremediably suffering and were subjected to further pain and suffering by not being euthanizing immediately, and instead were subjected to a 4 day hold period. Dr. Mangiamele's report also notes that non-certified employees were performing euthanasia and unregistered veterinary technicians were inducing anesthesia."

A copy of Dr. Mangiamele's report can be downloaded from the LA County DACC Watch Blog at http://lacdacc.blogspot.com.