State pulls license of Fayette SPCA
More than 30 citations were lodged Thursday against a 100-year-old Fayette County animal shelter that had its license revoked after numerous sick dogs were discovered at the facility.
The citations, filed by state dog law officer Renee Harding, stem from two inspections of the Fayette SPCA in North Union that noted numerous deficiencies and the presence of animals with infectious diseases. The state quarantined the shelter eight days ago.
Inspectors on July 16 and Aug. 7 reported multiple sick dogs, numerous potential safety hazards for the animals, piles of feces and other improper sanitation measures, among many issues detailed in reports.
Dogs were given antibiotics on July 29 to treat suspected kennel cough and/or canine distemper, but some were still sick during the Aug. 7 inspection, according to the reports.
Seven dogs had to be euthanized and three were found dead in their crates between July 29 and Aug. 7, according to the report.
The state revoked the shelter's license on Tuesday, SPCA board president Sam Hunt confirmed Thursday. He said the shelter has eight days remaining to appeal the action.
The summary citations, 16 naming the Fayette SPCA and 16 naming Kim Clay, board secretary/treasurer, allege failure:
• to keep the kennel sanitary to provide humane conditions for the animals.
• to respond to a notice from the state.
• to vaccinate an animal after it had been at the shelter for 10 days.
Clay could not be reached Thursday.
“We are speaking with our attorney (Gary Frankhouser). We do not know the outcome,” Hunt said. Frankhouser could not be reached.
The shelter has spent $15,000 since a July 16 inspection, Hunt said, replacing ceiling tiles, cleaning and trying to make the necessary repairs.
The Rankin Air Shaft Road facility is prohibited from accepting or adopting out any dogs because of the infectious diseases.
Wardens found during the July 16 inspection that the entire facility was infested with a “centipede-type insect.” The Aug. 7 report noted the infestation had lessened, “but it is still an ongoing problem.”
On Aug. 7, 40 dogs and 20 puppies were at the facility, the report said.
Numerous rust issues, peeling paint and missing ceiling tiles were identified as problems. Inspectors found dirt, dust, debris and dead insects around the facility. Dog feces was observed in a water bowl, as well as in piles around the facility, according to the report.
The report did not state how many cats or kittens were at the shelter, but inspectors reported finding two dead kittens in separate pens. “The cats appeared to have been deceased for some time ... and the other cats in those pens were stepping/laying on the deceased kittens,” the report said.
Some dogs appeared lethargic and they were coughing. “Wardens also observed several dogs in poor body condition,” the report said. “Wardens observed one dog that was nonresponsive” and appeared to be suffering tremors.
According to Hunt, veterinarian Dr. Donald Tummons has been working to restore the animals' health.
“We are waiting to see what they will do. ... There were two inspections, back to back, that were not satisfactory,” Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Samantha Krepps said Thursday.
“They were not following the proper protocols. They were not separating the dogs who were (sick) and who were not sick. We are monitoring them to make sure those animals are safe,” she said.
If an appeal is filed, shelter officials will remain responsible for the animals' care, Krepps said.
If they do not appeal, the Department of Agriculture must be notified where the dogs are going and oversee the closing of operations, she said.
Hunt said the shelter runs on a $250,000 annual budget. Funding comes from county and state contributions, municipal contracts, donations and adoptions.
“We take in anything and everything that no one else wants. Some cats are feral. Some are emaciated. People fail to spay and neuter, and we get the (litters),” he said.
“Back in the good old days, people would dump animals along country roads. Now we pick up strays. If we have to close, there will be no agency to handle (stray) animals,” Hunt said. “I resent people thinking I'm a hater of animals and a killer of animals. ... People on the board are far from that. We have our own animals. Do we want to see sick animals? No.”
A gofundme.com site in the shelter's name shows $660 of a $15,000 goal has been raised.
“Truthfully speaking, we don't have the money to do everything (the state) asks. ... If we can't save it, we will have to declare bankruptcy,” Hunt said.
Mary Pickels and Renatta Signorini are staff writers for Trib Total Media. Pickels can be reached at 724-850-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com. Signorini can be reached at 724-837-5374 or rsignorini@tribweb.com.
