SUMMIT COUNTY - OHIO - ANIMAL SHELTER ABUSE - DEMAND REFORMS!!

We, the undersigned residents of Summit County, petition the Summit County Executive to remove the Director of the Summit County Animal Shelter (the Shelter), Glenn James, from his position as director. We request this because of inhumane and illegal practices, both past and present, which have been employed under his leadership. Said practices include, but not limited to: illegal use of heart sticks for euthanasia on unsedated animals (contrary to acceptable State guidelines for euthanasia procedures); illegal needless mass killings of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens of animals slated for rescue; needless killings of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens when ample cage space is available; non-adherence to the three-day holding period for cats and dogs; falsification of public records; unaccountability for missing animals; and the misuse of the drug FatalPlus.



In addition, we petition the County Council to initiate reforms at the Shelter, to include, but not limited to: an aggressive adoption program; longer holding times for animals when cage space is available; allow volunteers in the Shelter to care for the animals; an adoption website with photos as promised in the 12/2/02 issue of the Akron Beacon Journal; no adoption fees for rescue groups; longer public hours for adoptions and redemptions; a citizen oversight committee to insure these reforms are implemented and adhered to. The oversight committee shall be involved in the hiring process of shelter management and staff to insure that illegal and inhuman practices never occur at the Shelter again. We, the undersigned residents of Summit County believe the citizens of the County deserve a better Shelter and better management.