MEMPHIS, TN--Mayor A C Wharton is forming a new task force to address recent problems at the Memphis Animal Shelter.
Members of the task force will include area veterinarians, local citizens and other animal professionals and specialists. The task force will work on a short and long term plan that will best address the needs and concerns of the shelter. The new task force will have it's first meeting Friday, October 30, 2009.
Some of the items scheduled to be discussed at tomorrow's meeting include: Best practice procedures, training and retraining of shelter staff and personnel, expanding use of spay and neutering and animal adoption plans. Task force members will also monitor and report to the mayor daily on the status and progress of the shelter. While the group may remain active in its work indefinitely, its final recommendations for the shelter are scheduled to be made in a formal report in 60 days.
"It could be several months before any criminal complaints or indictments are handed down or are in place. But we can't wait that long. This is why we are doing our own assessment of this situation with the help of professionals. And we will decide if discipline or termination is called for or warranted," said Mayor Wharton.
Control of City of Memphis Animal Shelter was seized by Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators on Tuesday, October 27, 2009, as prompted by reports of maltreatment of animals at the shelter. After an investigation, control of the shelter was returned to the City of Memphis late last night. Investigators are compiling a report of their findings while in control of the shelter. To date, details of that report have not been disclosed to City of Memphis officials who are monitoring the matter. Mayor A C Wharton contends, however, that steps will be taken to adhere to any and all recommendations given, once the report is made available.
