07/15/2021
Statement From The Porter County Animal Shelter:
Yesterday evening, a Porter County resident posted a comment on her page regarding her experience with the Shelter regarding a stray dog that she had found and brought to the Shelter. The dog was calm when the resident brought it to us, but when she left, the dog became aggressive. It took two animal control officers to move the dog to a holding cage.
This often happens when an owner surrenders a dog or brings one in claiming it is a stray. Because of this, the Shelter mistakenly assumed that it was the latter. We were later notified by a municipal police department that they had seen the dog running loose but had not reported it to animal control. Nevertheless, they confirmed that it was a stray.
Our communications with the resident were not appropriate or professional. Shelter Director Toni Bianchi has contacted her and personally apologized to her. We also publicly apologize to our citizens for this lapse.
The resident has asked to take possession of the dog and we will honor her request. Arrangements are in place for her to pick the dog up today.
To assist the public, we have tips and suggestions for all of our well-intentioned friends who find a wandering animal and want to get them back home. They are posted on our website at https://www.portercountyanimalshelter.org/175/Found-Pets
While this incident should not have happened, it is important to understand that the Shelter staff has faced incredible challenges during the COVID shutdown and continuing through today. In addition to being short staffed, they had to quickly change all of their procedures to continue offering adoptions, owner surrenders and stray intakes while still providing daily care for the hundreds of animals that have passed through their doors.
“For the past 18 months, our employees have come to work knowing that they are responsible for the wellbeing of living creatures,” said Director Toni Bianchi. “The emotional commitment they must make, and the accompanying stress they are under, has taken a toll.”
“Yes, they made a mistake and have apologized for it. But we also have to consider the incredible accomplishments they have made at the Shelter in the last 6 years under Toni’s leadership,” said Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney. “Toni, along with her team, have given their hearts and souls to improve the lives of the animals that come through the Shelter, and I fully support them.”
If you, or someone you know, would be interested in becoming a part-time kennel technician, please apply online now here: https://www.indeed.com/job/kennel-technician-1b642e2cd86e30a5
Statement From The Porter County Animal Shelter:
Yesterday evening, a Porter County resident posted a comment on her page regarding her experience with the Shelter regarding a stray dog that she had found and brought to the Shelter. The dog was calm when the resident brought it to us, but when she left, the dog became aggressive. It took two animal control officers to move the dog to a holding cage.
This often happens when an owner surrenders a dog or brings one in claiming it is a stray. Because of this, the Shelter mistakenly assumed that it was the latter. We were later notified by a municipal police department that they had seen the dog running loose but had not reported it to animal control. Nevertheless, they confirmed that it was a stray.
Our communications with the resident were not appropriate or professional. Shelter Director Toni Bianchi has contacted her and personally apologized to her. We also publicly apologize to our citizens for this lapse.
The resident has asked to take possession of the dog and we will honor her request. Arrangements are in place for her to pick the dog up today.
To assist the public, we have tips and suggestions for all of our well-intentioned friends who find a wandering animal and want to get them back home. They are posted on our website at https://www.portercountyanimalshelter.org/175/Found-Pets
While this incident should not have happened, it is important to understand that the Shelter staff has faced incredible challenges during the COVID shutdown and continuing through today. In addition to being short staffed, they had to quickly change all of their procedures to continue offering adoptions, owner surrenders and stray intakes while still providing daily care for the hundreds of animals that have passed through their doors.
“For the past 18 months, our employees have come to work knowing that they are responsible for the wellbeing of living creatures,” said Director Toni Bianchi. “The emotional commitment they must make, and the accompanying stress they are under, has taken a toll.”
“Yes, they made a mistake and have apologized for it. But we also have to consider the incredible accomplishments they have made at the Shelter in the last 6 years under Toni’s leadership,” said Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney. “Toni, along with her team, have given their hearts and souls to improve the lives of the animals that come through the Shelter, and I fully support them.”
If you, or someone you know, would be interested in becoming a part-time kennel technician, please apply online now here: https://www.indeed.com/job/kennel-technician-1b642e2cd86e30a5
