By VICKI URBANIK

Critics and supporters of the changes at the Porter County Animal Shelter publicly hashed it out Tuesday, and, after trading catty accusations and biting barbs, they may have ended on a more conciliatory note than when they began.

The Porter County Commissioners agreed to hear public input about the animal shelter amid criticism ever since they disbanded the former animal welfare board and took over direct control of the shelter. Since then, the shelter’s goal has been to increase adoptions and no longer euthanize adoptable animals.

The commissioners – and in particular, Commissioner President Robert Harper – were both praised and vilified for their actions Tuesday.

Of the 10 people who spoke, three were clearly angered by the new approach, while most of the others were clearly grateful. But more than a few speakers agreed that disputes have gotten out of hand, becoming too emotional, petty, or politically motivated.

Perhaps the highlight of the night came when a young cat was brought into the room during a recess. This was the same cat whose photo was posted online by a shelter critic who argued that it was inhumane to keep alive the badly injured kitten, which had an eyeball popping out. But the cat was treated, adopted and on Tuesday, appeared quite healthy.

Among those who questioned the new direction at the animal shelter was former volunteer Delbert “Frank” Herschberger , who asked a variety of questions about why prison inmates are working at the shelter, how a donations fund is being used, and why the current shelter director, Judy Bonaventura, doesn’t live in Porter County.

Another speaker, Lynnann Moore, a former animal welfare board member, praised the commissioners for taking the shelter in “a new and positive direction.”

In the past, she said, there was no accountability, questioning how the shelter could justify euthanizing non-feral kittens on the grounds that they were vicious. Critics of the shelter, she said, are playing politics and spreading falsehoods.

But one of those critics, Dr. Mary Ann Sheller, former president of the animal welfare board, said she and others are being wrongly painted as evil doers. She said the shelter has become overcrowded and that it’s manipulating the statistics on the number of adoptions. She cited in particular how 32 shelter animals were taken to a organization that euthanizes.

“It’s apparently ‘no-kill’ as long as it’s in our county,” she said.

But her comment was rejected as a falsehood by Larry Rogers, Harper’s law partner and husband of Jocelyn Rogers, who has formed a non-profit organization supporting the animal shelter.

Rogers said he knows firsthand that the animals weren’t taken to a kill shelter—since he’s the one who transported the animals himself. He said they were taken to an anti-cruelty agency that does free spay and neuters.

Another shelter supporter was Gale Carmoda, a board member of the no-kill Independent Cat Society. She said that last year, the animal shelter had a county-funded budget of only $500 for veterinarian expenses, and because of that, many animals didn’t get the medical care they needed but were instead euthanized.

She offered to the commissioners the ICS’ expertise and other help. “We are more than 100 percent behind you,” she said.

One tense moment came when speaker Laura Nelson refused to stop reading her lengthy prepared statement after eight minutes, twice as long as the commissioners gave other speakers. Nelson was highly critical of the current shelter, claiming that the commissioners violated the law by disbanding the animal board.

“I will not surrender the floor,” she said, when asked to stop speaking. That prompted Porter County Sheriff Dave Lain to approach Nelson. Lain said that if she were to read her entire document, it would “take all night.” But Nelson refused and kept reading over Lain’s attempts. Harper then called a recess in the meeting.

Commissioners Respond

North Porter County Commissioner John Evans said practically everyone involved wants to do the right thing for animals. He said it’s time for everyone who wants to help to work together. “We need to bury the hatchet,” he said.

Evans also said that while euthanizations are sometimes necessary and merciful, he thinks a no-kill shelter for adoptable animals is admirable. He also said the past problems at the shelter were “horrific” and that the criticisms have now snowballed.

South County Commissioner Carole Knoblock questioned why some of the critics are just now raising concerns, when the shelter had more problems in the past. “I think some of your complaints are uncalled for,” she said.

Harper gave the lengthiest response, first by clarifying misstatements about the donation fund that has hit $87,000. He said that in the past, the fees from adoptions disappeared into the county’s general fund, and that the shelter tapped its donation fund for veterinary bills. Now, he said, the fees are being used for medical care, while the donations are going toward food and other benefits for the animals.

Harper also addressed some of the criticism about the commissioners’ plans to build a new building for the animal shelter. He said the purpose of the building isn’t to warehouse more animals but to provide more space to replace cages that are too small and an inadequate holding area for vicious dogs.

He also said he’s sure the animal shelter will make mistakes, and that people who want to find a mistake will find one. But he also said that overall, the shelter is improving, increasing its adoptions, replacing decrepit cages, trying to solve other long-ignored problems, and getting animals treatment they need.

He asked the shelter’s critics to give the commissioners time to make the shelter work well.

“Let’s have this discussion a year from now,” he said.

Posted 8/20/2008