What? You thought we’d stop foaming at the mouth about Louisville Metro Animal Services?
Let’s take a look at some euthanasia statistics, which we’ve examined previously. Worth getting more specific with data ranging from January 2010 through November 2011.
In 2010, 303 animals were euthanized at LMAS with absolutely no reason provided in official records. In 2011, 194 were killed without a reason. In 2010, 195 were euthanized for “behavior – history” and 72 in 2011. In 2010, 1,464 were killed for “behavior observed” and 790 were killed in 2011.
21.19% of animals were killed in 2010 because of behavior. 17.5% of animals were killed in 2011 because of behavior.
We bring up these “behavior” statistics because you already know that’s a load of dookey. Here’s a refresher:
Let’s Work Together In An Effort For Change
- The Beginning
- January 10
- January 11 – Part 1
- January 11 – Part 2
- January 12
- January 13
- January 14
- January 15
- January 16
- January 17
- January 18
- January 19
- January 20 – Part 1
- January 20 – Part 2
- January 21 – Part 1
- January 21 – Part 2
- January 22
- January 23
- January 24 – Part 1
- January 24 – Part 2
- January 25
- January 26 – Part 1
- January 26 – Part 2
- January 27
- January 28
- January 29
- January 30
- January 31
- February 1
Refreshed?
Now let’s take a look at monthly kill totals at LMAS:
2010 – 7,830
- January: 396
- February: 394
- March: 510
- April: 607
- May: 581
- June: 943
- July: 991
- August: 1,055
- September: 809
- October: 631
- November: 534
- December: 379
2011 – 4,925
- January: 320
- February: 275
- March: 398
- April: 376
- May: 398
- June: 606
- July: 567
- August: 714
- September: 560
- October: 424
- November: 287
54.31% of animals were killed at LMAS during 2010. Only 14.65% were adopted. 44.45% of animals were killed at LMAS during 2011. Only 18.14% were adopted.
So don’t for a second think anything has really changed under Greg Fischer’s “compassionate” leadership.
If you’re further interested, go dig into information obtained via open records requests (from several weeks ago, not the currently pending data release that Fischer’s folks tried to prevent.)
6 responses so far ↓
1 Jared K. // Dec 20, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Jake, thanks for being a leader and shining a spotlight on this dark place in our community. Fischer’s team is a real disgrace. With kill statistics so high, ‘d suggest they change the name of the Animal House to the Animal Death House. The bottom line is – if LMAS gets their hands on a dog or cat in Louisville, it’s highly likely it will be killed. So sad. Here’s hoping some of the elected officials will show half the courage in improving LMAS that you have demonstrated in spotlighting the mess.
2 mneag // Dec 20, 2011 at 12:54 pm
Are these the only years’ data available? There’s a near 34% decrease in both euthanasia and intake between 2010 and 2011. Why would intake fall 34% in a year? Is it normal to see swings like that from year to year? I would expect some seasonal variance, but a solid drop every single month of the year, sometimes significant ones, seems odd to me.
3 samantha ell // Dec 20, 2011 at 1:14 pm
The shelter was shut down for several weeks this year and intake was limited to certain conditions during that time. During that same time period MANY cats and dogs were killed.
4 mneag // Dec 20, 2011 at 4:57 pm
Samantha,
The decrease is every month for the whole year, it’s not just a few months that are low. It’s all of them. I’m not sure what conditions in the city would change that would drastically change the number of animals.
5 Rosebuds // Dec 20, 2011 at 5:25 pm
The decrease in intake in 2011 vs 2010 and other years (former LMAS staffer; don’t have data in front of me but have analyzed it many times), is due to a sharp change in animal control behavior. Officers are confiscating far fewer pets from people’s homes, which explains the decrease in intake.
What this doesn’t show is that the percentage of owner surrendered pets is actually UP – far more people are turning pets in due to economic issues. Despite the fact that there are resources in this community to help struggling pet owners, like NKL’s pet food bank and low-cost vet services around the city. (Rarely will you hear an LMAS staffer inform an owner of that, however.)
6 totalfailure // Dec 20, 2011 at 10:57 pm
Rosebud is correct. I have a wonderful dog because some lazy-ass redneck wanted to put a perfect dog down because he was tired of it. LMAS had every intention of putting it down without consulting with the owner or with local rescue groups. Luckily a former staffer ( knew the dog was perfect for adoption). She saved the dog and several more but lost her job for doing her job. Fischy is a coward. King is a coward. Fischy’s staff are vindictive thin-skinned cowards. The local press (including the LEO) has done absolutely nothing to bring the truth out. NKL and Payne are the only ones doing the dirty work. Others need to step-up. This nightmare isn’t going away.
Since no state legislator is calling for review of animal cruelty (hello republicans! Here’s your chance to put Jerry and a host of others in their place) Downard has done just enough so peeps will shut-up. He hasn’t done enough. Do more Downard. Legislation needs to be filed to improve kennel conditions at shelters and make animal cruelty a more serious offense. Tilly could gain support from Louisville, Lexington and other areas around the Commonwealth if he grew a pair. He didn’t have the guts to call simple legislation in the last session. I’m sure he will have excuses this go around as well.
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