Letter to KC Council Budget Committee

Sergeant John J. Diel Jr.
President
Animal Control Officer’s Guild
PO Box 146
Kent, WA 98032
November 10, 2008

Honorable Larry Phillips
Chair, Budget Committee
King County Council
King County Courthouse
516 3rd Avenue
Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104-3272

Honorable Larry Phillips,

My name is Sergeant John J. Diel Jr. and I am the President of the Animal Control Officer’s Guild (ACOG) representing King County Animal Control Officers, Sergeants, and Veterinarian Technicians.

Last year on May 7, 2007, I addressed the full Council during your consideration of ordinance 15801. I assured you then and I assure you now, Guild members are committed to doing everything in their power to reducing euthanasia and to the prevention of cruelty to animals. This is evident in the fact euthanasia rates were reduced 5% in 2007 to 34% and continue to be at/or below the County mandated 20 percent in 2008. In addition, KCACC has had many cruelty cases resulting in guilty pleas and/or convictions with several more pending criminal prosecutions currently in the courts.

I had no indication at that time I would be before you over a year later discussing whether or not there would be a future for KCACC. The notion of contracting out shelter services in order to become a model program has been proven time and again to be a dangerous path. For example, at the same time King County was contemplating 15801, our neighbor in Pierce County was reconsidering their position and ultimately refocused their strategy. In one local news story it was said they were “forced to modify (Mosley, 2008)” their policy a year later. Last year Tomkins County SPCA demanded the County double its previous year contract payment or its contract would be dropped (Allen, 2007, par. 2). In the city of Rancho Cucamonga, CA the budget was $435,000 in 2005/2006 fiscal year and increased to over $2,000,000.00 in fiscal year 2006/2007 (Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 2006-2007, pg. 35). Will King County be held hostage by a private entity in the same fashion???

I fear, as you should, any entity willing to contract with King County for shelter services in the beginning will be willing to do so with the full intent of demanding more of the tax payer’s money every year thereafter. They know full well this program is not sustainable without huge financial commitments by King County or local municipalities to spend more of the tax payer’s dollars every year for comparable meager results. Citizens should be made aware if it is not King County providing animal sheltering it will be local cities strong armed into being forced to provide financing to support what will be exuberant costs of sustaining another groups program. The local cities will be burdened with the decision of whether to pay to house animals in a private limited admission shelter or provide their citizens with local law enforcement. This is a slippery slope in a time of serious financial crisis.

Local municipalities pay zero for animal services, except for enhanced services contracts, and should not be forced to start now. KCACC can become a full cost recovery program if the Council accepts the Executive’s proposed budget with the Saving Lives Pet Partnership and increased license fees. License enforcement is a necessary proven revenue source and has been successful in other local jurisdictions.

If the Council does not accept the Executive’s budget as it pertains to KCACC with cost recovery programs intact we will surely see additional layoffs of more County employees and I am not just talking about Animal Control Officers. Like many citizens I am concerned about the severe cuts in Public Health, Prosecutors Office, Sheriffs, Public Defense, and supported employment program. It would be a shame for those cuts to be deeper because the Council does not want to enforce pet licensing; one of the least tapped resources in the arsenal of King County’s cost recovery programs.

Everyday King County Animal Care and Control work diligently to save just one more pet. We utilize every resource made available and spend many hours saving the lives of the abandoned unweaned kittens or puppies, the dog with the broken leg and the feral cat which years ago, may have been euthanized, with out a second though. King County Animal Care and Control has dedicated staff with a growing volunteer and foster care network working hard to form partnerships with rescue groups, local shelters, volunteers, and businesses with the same goal of saving pets lives.

My hope today is you will realize keeping animal sheltering as a King County Animal Care and Control function is the most fiscally sound and makes the most sense strategically going into 2009 and beyond. Please also realize the dedication of staff and volunteers to improving the lives of pets coming in to our shelters every day. With the Council, we are all committed to reducing euthanasia and to the prevention of cruelty to animals. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,



Sergeant John J. Diel Jr.
President
Animal Control Officer’s Guild

Enc: Code of Ethics for Animal Control Officers

References

Allen, S (2007). Changes in SPCA funding may end-no-kill funding. The Ithacan Online. Retrieved from the World Wide Web October 15, 2008: http://theithacan.org/am/publish/news/200710_Changes_in_SPCA_funding_may_ end_no-kill_policy.shtml

Mosley, T (2008). Tacoma humane society forced to modify ‘no kill’ policy. King 5 News. Retrieved from the World Wide Web October 15, 2008: http://www.king5.com/animals/news/stories/NW_022008ANB_tacoma_humane_ society_LJ.f1c44be.html

Rancho Cucamonga, City of (2006-2007). City Budget Summary Fiscal Year 2006- 2007. Rancho Cucamonga, CA: City Manager’s Office

CODE OF ETHICS FOR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS

AS AN ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER, MY FUNDIMENTAL DUTY IS TO:

Serve the community, to safeguard lives, property and animals.
Protect animals against cruelty, neglect, exploitation and harm.
Protect the peaceful against violence or disorder.
Respect the constitutional rights of liberty, equality and justice for all.
Educate the public about the health, welfare and care of animals.

I will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to me or my agency. I will maintain calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule, maintain self-restraint and be mindful of the welfare of others. I will be exemplary in obeying the law and regulations of my department.

I will not act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, political beliefs or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise from crime, and consistent and fair prosecution of offenders; I will enforce the laws and protect animals courteously without fear or favor, malice or ill will, and never accepting gratuities.

I recognize the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as public trust. I will not engage in acts of corruption or bribery and will not condone such acts by other officers. I will cooperate with all legally authorized agencies in the pursuit of justice.

I am responsible for my own standard of professional performance and will take every opportunity to enhance and improve my knowledge and competence.

I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself to my chosen profession as an Animal Control Officer or Humane Officer.


Drafted by Officer Pam McLaren, King County Animal Care and Control Officer,
1-22-98, from various Law Enforcement agency Codes of Ethics.