We have another victory for the animals!
Dogs Shot in Morgan County
It appears that the Morgan County Commissioners are not following through on
any improvements for their so-called barn dog pound. No sign has been made
and hours have not been posted. There has been no further mention of senior
citizens helping or any attempt at a real adoption program. The Cleveland
APL continues to come down every week and take dogs to their already crowded
shelter. Dogs not taken are killed by lethal injection by the APL workers
at the Morgan County pound. There is a technician certified to use lethal
injection in Morgan County and she is ready to help. A local rescue tried
to help a Golden Retriever and the dog warden claimed the dog was mean and
so the dog was killed. This must stop! It is obvious that the county
commissioners are not going to do anything to bring their animal control
services into the 21st century. The Morgan County Commissioners need
to make changes NOW!
Contact (info below) the MCC and urge them to be proactive and make changes
now!
5/21/02 Update:
We have another victory for the animals. The routine shooting of dogs in Morgan County, Ohio has ended for good!
Scott Taylor from Channel 19 in Cleveland traveled to Morgan County today with his news crew. He interviewed Emily Matusek, OHEA's Morgan County Coordinator, and the County Commissioners. An announcement was made that there will no longer be any routine shooting of dogs in Morgan County. A sign is being made for the dog pound, hours will be posted, senior citizens are being recruited to help, and lethal injection will be used in the future. The APL in Cleveland will pick up dogs as needed.
Because of Scott Taylor's dedication and expert reporting, the shooting of dogs has been stopped in another Ohio county. We couldn't have done it without him. Please be sure to send your thanks to this super reporter!
Channel 19 WOIO in Cleveland
- Scott Taylor
- Station Manager
- News Director
Phone #: (216) 771-1943 or (800) 929-0132
Fax #: (216) 515-7152
Call or e-mail (contact info. below) the Morgan County Commissioners and let them know how much we all appreciate these much needed changes for the animals and encourage them to continue making improvements in their animal control services.
Scott Taylor's news stories on Channel 19:
http://www.actionnewsnow.com/Global/story.html_S=791287
UPDATE 2003:
The pound is housed on the bottom floor of an old barn on State Route 376.
There is neither running water or heat in the building, nor is there bedding
for the dogs to sleep on. There is no sign or posted hours for the
facility.
On April 15, 2002, Scott Taylor from Channel 19 (WOIO) in Cleveland visited
Morgan County. He spoke with the county commissioners and videotaped the
Morgan County
Phone: (740) 962-3183
Ron Moore County Commissioner, President
Senator:
Phone: (614) 466-8076
Rep:
Another story by Scott Taylor - (also mentions bill to outlaw shooting)
"Dogs rescued from death row finding good homes"
http://www.actionnewsnow.com/Global/category.html_C=28788
UPDATE:
No dogs have been shot since Scott Taylor's story aired on Channel
19 on April 29. Numerous dogs have been rescued by a local rescue,
Happy Tails Adoption Center. The Morgan County Commissioners voted
to allow the Animal Protective League in Cleveland to transport dogs
to Cuyahoga County for adoption. If the dogs are not adopted, they
will be killed with lethal injection. The Morgan County Commissioners
refuse to take a vote on ending the shooting of dogs permanently.
The dog warden, Jeff Driggs, believes that shooting is humane.
The county commissioners also refuse to vote on using lethal injection
even though there is a certified technician available to them. If the county commissioners
would take simple steps such as posting a sign, setting reasonable
hours so dogs can be claimed and adopted, promote adoption in a
county newspaper and on a web site, educate county residents about
being responsible pet owners, few dogs would die. It is long past
the time for Morgan County to bring their Animal Control Department
into the 21st century.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In Morgan County, dogs and puppies impounded by Dog Warden, Jeff Driggs, die
by gunshots to the head. The dogs are taken across the street from the pound
and up a hillside (on county owned property) where they are shot and their
bodies buried in trenches. Some dogs may not be dead when buried. In addition
to being the dog warden, Jeff Driggs is a full time county highway employee.
On Monday, April 8, 2002, a litter of puppies were dropped in the "drop box"
these puppies were dead 24 hours later. The pictures are of their bodies
uncovered on April 9, 2002.
filthy dog pound as well dogs buried in the hillside trenches.
( See Story )
whether or not it's inhumane is debatable. When asked to stop the shooting
immediately, Commissioner Moore said that they would have to do research first
and inquire with local vets about expense. More than once, offers of help by
a local resident trained and certified to use lethal injection were turned
down by Moore.
Incidentally, Mr. Taylor said that this was the worst facility he has ever
seen. The conditions at the dog pound were deplorable. The stench was
unbearable. Four dogs were inside the dilapidated barn, the next victims to
die by gunshots to the head.
Ron Moore told Scott Taylor that Jeff Driggs had admitted to him that he had shot at least 600 dogs during 2001. From January 1 to April 28 of this year, 103 dogs have been shot and only 6 adopted or reclaimed.
DOGS IN MORGAN COUNTY ARE NOT GIVEN A CHANCE!
Please write, fax or call the county commissioners, senator and representative
from Morgan County and demand that the shooting of these dogs stop
immediately. There is nothing humane or civilized about shooting dogs and
puppies in the head. Demand that lethal injection be used, open hours be
established and more suitable housing be found.
County Courthouse
19 East Main Street
McConnelsville, OH 43756-1172
Fax: (740) 962-2014
Email:
Carl Dodrill County Commissioner
Bruce Dozer County Commissioner
James Carnes
Senate Building
Room #127, First Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Fax: (614) 995-1665
No email available
Nancy Hollister 614-644-8728
77 South High Street
13th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
No email address available