Jefferson County Washington Fan Page Facebook
"May 24th, 2019
ANIMAL SHELTER NEWS: Condition, possession of wolf hybrid has animal care operations at odds
An animal control case involving an injured and ill wolf hybrid kept as a pet has snared Jefferson County officials in a war of words between the Jefferson County Animal Shelter and Center Valley Animal Rescue.
Part of the problem seems to be the Sheriff’s Office having an unfilled position of animal control officer.
“We are looking into it,” Jefferson County Administrator Philip Morley said of the swirling allegations. “We are taking it seriously.”
Morley said he needs to review the regulations and laws that cover the Humane Society shelter and CVAR facility. “There’s a lot more to look at and figure out.”
The non-profit Humane Society operates the Animal Shelter (dogs and cats) near Port Townsend under contract with Jefferson County. Jefferson County last December extended its operating agreement with the Humane Society of Jefferson County of Washington for another five years.
The non-profit Center Valley Animal Rescue (CVAR) operates a 32-acre ranch north of Quilcene and provides care to many types of domestic animals, large and small.
The hot topic is the possession and care of a wolf hybrid named Moses which became separated from its owner last month by jumping out of the back of a pickup, and was apparently dragged by its tether.
The animal was found about a week later in Port Hadlock, turned over to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and transported to CVAR. The CVAR staff named the dog Roady.
After about three weeks of medical care provided by volunteer veterinarians at CVAR, on May 10 the Sheriff’s Office took the animal to the Humane Society shelter – apparently at the behest of Paul Becker, Humane Society board president.
The animal was taken to a veterinarian for treatment. A few days later the animal’s owner reclaimed the pet, as allowed by law. On social media, people have questioned whether the animal’s owner has the financial resources to care for the pet.
Sara Penhallegon, CVAR director, emailed the Jefferson Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on May 11 with complaints about a “reoccurring situation” with Becker apparently related to an earlier disagreement over animal care.
Regarding the wolf hybrid, Penhallegon praised the sheriff’s deputies who brought the animal to CVAR. She said the wolf hybrid was “starving with chronic skin and ear infections” but after three weeks of care, had gained 20 pounds and all but two wounds were closed.
“We are not here for the healthy stray animals, they should go to the [Human Society]; but for the unhealthy, sick or injured animals that need medical or behavioral care, that is what I do,” she wrote, describing herself as a licensed veterinary technician and wildlife rehabilitator.
She suggested that CVAR reach an agreement with Jefferson County and the City of Port Townsend “for animals such as Roady to get the care they need and then proper placement.
We would hope this type of agreement would improve animal welfare in Jefferson County as well as save tax payer money.”
The CVAR Facebook page had numerous posts and reader comments about the animal’s care.
On May 12, CVAR posted that “in the last 24 hours Roady has been taken from CVAR by the Jefferson County Humane Society after 3 weeks of intensive care at CVAR and against the written recommendations of both our veterinarian and CVAR Director.” The social media post urged people to contact (and provided phone numbers) of the Sheriff’s Office, Prosecutor’s Office, Human Society and the BOCC.
The Humane Society’s Becker, in a May 15 letter to the BOCC, cited several county codes and state laws regarding care of domestic animals.
Becker said the Sheriff’s Office has only two options: take the animal to the official county animal shelter, or to a licensed veterinarian if the animal has life-threatening injuries.
Regarding the wolf hybrid, the animal was recovered on a Saturday when a veterinary hospital in Port Hadlock was open.
Instead, a deputy turned “custody and control of the animal over to an organization that is not a veteran [sic] and is licensed only to provide veterinary services limited to animals owned by qualified low-income households, and the services provided limited to electronic identification, surgical sterilization and vaccinations,” Becker wrote.
Becker criticized CVAR for prescribing treatments that were “so painful” it required the animal to be anesthetized.
Becker accused the CVAR of confining the animal with “intent to deprive the owner of access to it,” which he alleged violates state law.
Becker said the Sheriff’s Office needed to provide the animal’s owner the opportunity to regain custody.
Becker closed by asking if the county would consider charging CVAR with practicing veterinary medicine without a license and for allegedly attempting to conceal a pet from its owner.
Commissioner David Sullivan said photos he had seen of the animal were “disturbing.” However, “there are two sides of the story.”
NO ANIMAL CONTROL
The county commissioners discussed the issue during its afternoon briefing session May 20.
Administrator Morley explained how the Sheriff’s Office’s lack of an animal control officer contributed to the situation.
Morley said that former Sheriff Dave Stanko in 2018 had changed the status of the animal control officer, removing the position from the Corrections Division to reduce the pay scale and apply that budgeted money to other JCSO needs.
The labor union that represents Corrections and the labor union representing the patrol deputies did not want “this recalibrated position” to be part of their bargaining unit so it got orphaned,” Morley said, due to the lower pay. “They had a good person but with the lower pay rate [that person] ultimately found another job.” The county’s animal control officer position remains vacant.
Morley said he had previously discussed this gap in service with Undersheriff Andy Pernsteiner, and will talk with Sheriff Joe Nole about returning the animal control officer’s pay level to that of Corrections staff; “we’re just starting the discussion with that.”
Commissioner Kate Dean said that with the county hiring a code compliance officer, an animal control officer is important for site visits that involve aggressive animals.
Morley acknowledged the apparent tension between the CVAR and Humane Society leaders, and cautioned that the county “shouldn’t react too strongly, too quickly” until regulations are reviewed and the complete story is known.
Commissioner Sullivan noted that the two groups are “good people doing good things that save us money.”
PHOTO CAPTION: The care and possession of this wolf hybrid has become the subject of controversy involving the Humane Society of Jefferson County Washington and Center Valley Animal Rescue, with Jefferson County government in the middle.
Source
Links for More Research to the Above
May 12th, 2019 CVAR Lynch Mob Thread
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TIwVMqLaqb6yOhYsyaGfI7GPGN2Syg6a/view
Blog Post on the Facebook Thread
https://centervalleyanimalrescue.blogspot.com/2021/10/michael-allmain-case-april-28th-2021.html
FOI eMails On Parties Named Above
https://photos.app.goo.gl/v75Dikks5PujQ1Dv9
FOI eMails on Becker Complaint
https://photos.app.goo.gl/z4eN6cJnxzmaYhH36
Prosecuting Attorney Julie St. Marie Jefferson County Port Townsend Washington, legally advising, Sara Penhallegon, the Director of CVAR, Center Valley Animal Rescue, to PLACE A LIEN on a Man's Private Property, his Emotional Support Animal, his Family.
https://centervalleyanimalrescue.blogspot.com/2021/10/prosecuting-attorney-julie-st-marie.html
Michael Allmain Case Videos by Reverend Crystal Cox RUMBLE
https://rumble.com/c/c-1140993?page=3
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Julie St. Marie Conspires with Center Valley Animal Rescue, CVAR, and their Attorney Adam P. Karp, to Set Michael Allmain up for a FUTURE Premeditated LIEN to Steal His Personal Property, His Emotional Support Dog, Moses.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/v75Dikks5PujQ1Dv9
CVAR and Prosecuting Attorney Chris Ashcraft
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mPuC1NqWYjimprLr8
eMails between Officer Wendy Davis and CVAR
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bihjS43QvtohiVzVA
Mr. Allmain has been Charged
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Feb7y5uRFipnf1zz7
FOI eMails Between Jefferson County Prosecutor Julie St. Marie and CVAR, Sara Penhallegon
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1ExQdpY9x1YNHMBZ6
CVAR May 2019 Posts. RCC Commentary
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GbhHKGvZZNJ6xeQH7
LOTS More
https://MichaelAllmain.blogspot.com/