Saginaw County Animal Care Center

Saginaw County Animal Care Center

Investigation Involving the Euthanasia of Baylee (Laurie Lambeth/Owner)

July 5, 2015

On June 17, 2015, Saginaw County Animal Control received a call at approximately 1600 Hours (4 p.m.) regarding a “Confined Animal Pick-up, A-4” at 9310 Hammond Road, Birch Run. The call was dispatch to Animal Control Officer (ACO) Thompson. Officer Thompson arrived at 9310 Hammond to pick up a stray cocker spaniel. According to Officer Thompson’s report, “dog was not in cage when I arrived the dog was laying on the porch the people who found the dog stated they tried to feed the dog but it would not eat and it had a gigantic tumor on the stomach that was dragging on the ground when it tried to walk and they stated the dog looked to be blind and was found on the next road over which is south block and they stated they felt the dog had been dropped off to die with no ID. They felt the dog could not walk very well and they carried the dog to the truck.” (See Incident Report - Revised) Officer Thompson, via SCACC dispatch, consulted with the Shelter Veterinarian on whether the stray cocker spaniel should be euthanized. Officer Thompson returned to the Shelter took pictures of the cocker spaniel and scanned for possible microchip, but there was no microchip found. According to the Saginaw County Animal Care Center (SCACC) Kennel Card, the stray cocker spaniel was assigned DOG ID # 12151. The Shelter Veterinarian, Dr. Peters, approved Officer Thompson to euthanize the cocker spaniel. The cocker spaniel was euthanized at approximately 5:25 p.m.

Dispatcher Baxter, in her statement, indicates the cocker spaniel was “very old, matted, blind, and had a tumor the size of a watermelon, had no identification, no collar.” (Statement, dated June 24, 2015). According to Dispatcher Baxter, she conveyed the description and condition of the cocker spaniel to Dr. Peters and inquired whether he wanted to see the dog the next morning or whether the cocker spaniel should be euthanized. He authorized SCACC to euthanize the cocker spaniel.

On June 18, 2015, Ms. Lambeth sent an email to Commissioners Hanley, Hadsall and Krafft informing them of the situation involving the euthanasia of Baylee, an 11 year old cocker spaniel. Ms. Lambeth states in her email,

“My family is in total shock today. Our family dog went missing yesterday afternoon, someone apparently found her and called SAGINAW ANIMAL CONTROL, This person described her as extremely friendly. The Saginaw Animal Control picked Baylee up around 4 and took her back to the Shelter on Gratiot. There, the Director and Vet decided, that this happy dog (with a constant wagging tail) must be put down, because she was blind and had a tumor) Our family and friends were looking for her until 11 pm last night, She is a house dog, and sleeps every night in my bed, I left every light on outside hoping the brightness would help her find way back to the house. I posted on Facebook For the Love of Louie, for help in search, as information and support poured in we discovered a person had found the dog on our road (Block Road) between Lange and Bush and Between My house 8628 and Bush, which there are 6 houses in a row, this person picked the dog up (she is so friendly and loving) off the side of the road, which all the side is different peoples yards, took the dog to her house (about ¾ mile away) and called Saginaw Animal Control for pick, ( I might contend she stole my dog as it is not clear who’s yard she took her from). As soon as I got feedback I was at animal control by 9 AM (I tried calling before but no one answered – and yes it was after 8:00 AM – office hours) I gave information to the clerk only to have her get the Director, who was rude, unprofessional and arrogant (who does she work for?) tell me that when they brought her in they (she and vet) decided she should be put down. I asked why and she said Michigan law says if dog is in pain they can do this, but my dog is and was not in pain, her tail wags constantly, and the person who initial reported her, said she was SO FRIENDLY!! So I asked for criteria, evaluation and the report of the incident, and the Director LeeAnn Ridley, stated she did not have to give that to me or any other information. If I wanted it, I needed to request a FOIA on incident #8440.

I want a full investigation and resolution for the loss of my family member. I am forwarding the FOIA request and I have attached a sampling of one of the FB responses. I will be making this a bigger issue fast. My resources say the Saginaw County Animal Control Director broke quite a few defined protocal. I also want the name of the Vetinarian who is contracted with the County of Saginaw.

I request a formal response from the Saginaw County Commissioners Board.”

I contacted Ms. Lambeth on June 22, 2015 to discuss the situation involving Baylee. Ms. Lambeth indicated she showed up at the Shelter at 9 a.m. on Wednesday asking for Baylee and the Director indicated they had put Baylee to sleep because of the “big tumor, blind, old.” Ms Lambeth stated the Director claimed the “law said she could do it.” Ms. Lambeth stated she called latter in the day, sometime between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., to ask for Baylee’s body, but the body was removed by the Shelter’s hauler. Ms. Lambeth indicated if the County had followed the Stray Hold of 4 to 7 days she would been able to reclaim Baylee. Ms. Lambeth complained she had “no closure” because Baylee’s body was removed.

LeeAnn Ridley, in her statement date June 25, 2015, indicated Carey Frye of Frye Disposal, the Shelter’s Dead Animal Hauler, arrived at 9 a.m. for his monthly pick up of all the deceased animals. LeeAnn returned to her office around 10 a.m. LeeAnn indicated either Tricia or Joan came into her office to inform her that the owner of Baylee was at the counter. LeeAnn inquired as to the dog she was looking for and the owner stated “an old cocker that was blind.” She “asked if it had a very large tumor.” The owner said “yes.” LeeAnn informed the owner “I am sorry to say this but your dog was euthanized yesterday when it came in, due the condition of the dog.” LeeAnn states “At that time she started screaming at me and yelling. She kept yelling, ‘why, why, why’.” Leeann replied “The dog had a very large tumor and with no identification on the dog, we had to do what was the most humane for the dog.” LeeAnn reports, “Laurie said, ‘If we removed the tumor Baylee would not make it thru surgery.’ The older lady took her cane and beat it on the counter and Laurie said to me, ‘When you get a tumor I want to be there when they euthanize you.’ She asked for the report and I gave her the FOIA information.”

Joan Baxter writes, “On June 18, 2015, I came back from my break and witnessed the owner of ‘Baylee’ screaming at LeeAnn, while LeeAnn was attempting to explain to her the reason Baylee was euthanized and the circumstances for pickup of a stray dog with no ID, no collar, no microchip, etc. LeeAnn was calm while addressing this issue with the owner. The owner was hysterical, she was waving her cane and calling LeeAnn all kinds of names and stated she wanted to be there when LeeAnn was euthanized for her tumor.”…. June 24, 2015 statement.

Tricia Barnes writes, “I was covering the front desk the morning the cockers owner came in to the shelter looking for her dog named Baylee. She came in between 9:30-9:45 a.m. I told her I would be right back and went and got Leeann to tell her the owners were here about their dog. LeeAnn came into the office and spoke with the dog owner. I don’t remember word for word, but LeeAnn was very nice and respectful with the owner when she was talking to her…. (June 24, 2015 Statement).

On June 30, 2015, I talked with Linda Haubenstricker who, with her daughter,picked Baylee up at the corner of Block and Bush and took Baylee to their house until Saginaw County Animal Control arrived. According to Ms. Haubenstricker, she and her daughter were driving home when they noticed something in the road, upon getting closer they realized it was a dog. They turned around to help the dog and prevent it from getting hit by a car. Ms. Haubenstricker stated when they stopped their vehicle near the intersection of Block and Bush the neighbor, who lived on the corner of Block and Bush, was attempting to catch the dog. The neighbor had to leave so the Haubenstrickers offered to take the dog to their residence and contact SCACC. The Haubenstrickers also posted information on Facebook about finding a cocker spaniel. Ms. Hubenstricker indicated her daughter provided the dog with water and waited on their front porch until Animal Control Officer arrived. Ms. Haubenstricker stated there were no responses on Facebook until the next day. Ms Haubenstricker also stated they inquired of the US Postal Service worker if she recognized the cocker spaniel. The Postal Service worker indicated she did not recognize the dog. Ms. Haubenstricker stated Baylee was “not an excitable dog, pretty calm and kept wandering towards the road and she was afraid it would get hit.” Ms Haubenstricker stated the tumor was quite large and dragging on the ground.

I talked with Dr. Peters on June 30, 2015 about the situation involving Baylee. Dr. Peters stated the dog “had no identification, poor physical condition and was not taken care of.” Dr. Peters expressed his confidence in SCACC staffs’ experience in properly assessing the health and condition of animals. Dr. Peters stated “I feel badly and had the dog had identification this situation would not have happened.”

Review of County Policy and State Law and Regulations

The Saginaw County Board of Commissioners adopted, at its August 19, 2014, Board meeting, the Policy/Procedure Manual for the Saginaw County Animal Care Center -2014.

Section 1.5 states, “If animal is found deceased, injured or seriously ill, the Officer shall first check the animal card for possible owner information, deceased animals shall be bagged and tagged. If the animal is sick or injured contact the owner for possible treatment or if the owner cannot be reached, contact and transport animal to a veterinarian for treatment. If the animal is an unidentified stray, the officer shall use their best judgement to insure humane treatment and/or euthanize if necessary. Any and all problems identified and or actions taken will be noted in the animal screen in Shelter Pro.”

Section 3.0 states, “Animal handling shall be in a manner consistent with the state’s laws and administrative rules pertaining to the management of animal control shelters, including, but not limited to Public Act 287 of 1969, Public Act 224 of 1969, and Regulation No. 151 and with the procedures set forth by the Saginaw County Animal Care Center. At all times, any animal under immediate control of SCACC shall be treated humanely, in a manner that poses the least possible threat of injury to the public, employee, and animal.

Section 5.3 Service Call Priorities/Injured Animals (A-7) states, “Priority High: Injured animals are to be considered emergencies and will be handled immediately and will not be carried over to the next day. Identification: Identification found on injured animals shall be called into dispatch before leaving the scene. Receptionist/Dispatcher/Secretary shall make an effort to contact the owner or owner’s veterinarian and shall be notify the Officer of information received and to where the animal will be transported. Minor, non-life threatening injuries may be brought directly to the shelter. Stray: If animal is not wearing any identification, the Officer will use his/her judgement as to the condition of the animal and make humane decision in accordance with State law for the disposition of said animal.

Act 287 of 1969 Pet Shops, Dog Pounds, and Animal Shelters – An Act to regulate pet shops, animal control shelters; to establish uniform procedures and minimum requirements for adoption of dogs, cats, and ferrets; and to prescribe penalties and civil fines and to provide remedies.

287.332 Rules; promulgation. Section 2: The agriculture department shall issue rules to accomplish the purpose of this act and to establish minimum standards for housing, care and handling of animals to insure the humane care and handling of animals. The rules shall be promulgated in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 88 of the Public Acts of 1943, as amended, being sections 24.71 to 24.80 of the Compiled Laws of 1948.

R 285.151.36 Veterinary Services. Rule 36. (2) The licensee or registrant shall seek the services of this veterinarian whenever a health hazard arises.

MCL 287.388 Section 8. A dealer, a county, city village, or township operating a dog pound or animal shelter shall not sell or otherwise dispose of a dog or cat within 4 days after its acquisition. If the dog or cat has a collar, license, or other evidence of ownership, the operator of the pound or shelter shall notify the owner in writing and disposition of the animal shall not be made within 7 days from the date of mailing the notice. Each operator of a pound or shelter shall be required to maintain a record on each identifiable dog or cat acquired, indicating a basic description of the animal, the date it was acquired and under what circumstances. The record shall also indicate the date of notice sent to the owner of an animal and subsequent disposition. This section does not apply to animals which are sick or injured to the extent that the holding period would cause undue suffering, or to animals whose owners request immediate disposal (February 18, 2014 MDARD Notice To Commence Formal Proceedings).

Summary & Findings

·  Saginaw County Animal Control received a call regarding a stray dog at 9310 Hammond, Birch Run at approximately 4 p.m. on June 17, 2015.

·  Officer Thompson responded to the call. Upon arrival, Haubenstrickers presented Officer Thompson with a Black/Tan, female Cocker Spaniel which was roaming loose along the road at the intersection of Block and Bush Roads.