The owner of an area animal rescue group implored the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to make what she said are crucial changes at Kings County Animal Control.

Kara Johnson, owner of the California Underdog Rescue group, and her assistant, Katie Smart, stood before the board and handed out an information packet. The packet included a list of complaints and documentation of alleged abuse and neglect which occurred at the Kings County Animal Control shelter.

"I had a decision to make when I made the packet," Johnson said. "The last thing I wanted is to be too inflammatory. I finally decided that maybe I have held back too long."

Sgt. Robert Thayer, who runs the facility for the sheriff's department, said this was the first he heard of any significant problems.

"I can tell you that if there are issues down there that need to be resolved, I am 100 percent for resolving them," said Thayer.

A former animal control officer, Rhonda Arnold, said exploration into a possible lawsuit has begun regarding animal treatment in Kings County. The suit could be similar to the one brought against Kern County, which was settled this month.

"It was a landmark case," Arnold said. "This is something the judicial will look at when it comes time for (Kings County's) suit."

Arnold said she has spoken with Kate Neiswender, the Ventura attorney who worked on the Kern County case. Neiswender has made a formal Public Records Act request in a letter.

In the request, Neiswender asked for descriptions of veterinary care given to any animal, and documents showing proof of proper euthanasia certification for every employee who performed euthanasia on an animal.

One complaint listed in the packet is that the shelter, which operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is not accessible to working people. In her letter, Neiswender requests documentation of county operating hours.

However, both Johnson and Arnold expressed the hope that by simply bringing the information forward to the board, things will change, and a lawsuit will not be necessary.

"(The board) has a choice. (They) can really say 'look, there is a problem,' and re-evaluate, or (they) can let it stay the way it is," Johnson said.

Thayer defended the shelter, and said he is eager to address the issues highlighted in the packet.

"We want to make sure we are doing things right, and if we're not, then we want to make the changes that will make it right," Thayer said. "We wouldn't keep animals in our facility as long as we do if we weren't trying. It's a sad thing that these animals are in there in the first place."

The reporter may be reached by e-mail at: nragus@hanfordsentinel.com.

(November 15, 2006)