What’s happened with LMAS since then?

What has improved?

Not a damn thing.

Jim Mims, after a serious public shaming (Greg Fischer, too), had a change of heart on Occupy Louisville. But they forgot to notify the Occupy folks. [WFPL]

Hurry and put up that pay wall, Gannett, so your first quarter earnings can fall another 33%. Hurry up! [C-J/AKN]

Steve Bittenbender filed to run for the 37th District State Senate seat. That’s the seat Democratic embarrassment Perry Clark currently holds. Will it float? [SoS]

Sorry, John David Dyche, regardless of what Jim King puts out in his front, he does not have a great working relationship with Greg Fischer. In fact, he doesn’t even have a good working relationship with his former staffers, campaign staffers or most of the people who advised him until recently. [C-J/AKN]

This New Albany cop who spewed racist rhetoric now says his comments weren’t racist and is appealing his suspension. [FOX41]

A judge in Frankfort will today decide on the filing deadline in the redistricting mess. [H-L]

Will Louisville win that tastiest town thing in Southern Living? Probably not and all kinds of people will freak out about it because it’s obviously the end of the world. Greg Fischer will even issue a release about it and talk about it on Twitter and Facebook. [WAVE3]

Nashville is working to attract international tourists. Louisville doesn’t even work to attract tourists in its own state. [Business First]

Robert White’s son was arrested again and everyone is losing their mind over it. Apparently, it’s even more important than that tasty town contest. [WHAS11]

This is the wet dream of Steve Beshear and Greg Fischer. The absolute tops for them. You know they’re aching to pull this stunt. [Mother Jones]

Wait, would you rather people be so drug/high that they fall asleep at a restaurant or while driving away from the restaurant, like Greg Fischer’s official parks guy could have done? [WLKY]

We discussed it at the time but there’s nothing like hearing directly from those people in the belly of the beast:

I was surprised to read the letter of Jan 22, 2012 regarding recent changes to Metro Animal Services. As the Metro Animal Services Volunteer Coordinator from August 2009 until November 2011, I took pride in soliciting, training and working with all LMAS volunteers at both facilities. The writer is the owner/founder of a local pet food company that comes to the shelters once a year to give the dogs a holiday treat. I’m not sure this self described “longtime volunteer” has spent much time witnessing the daily shelter conditions or interacting with staff.

Her observations of a cleaner kennel with healthier animals might have been due to the fact that the management was aware of her upcoming visit and sent out a press release on Dec. 21 announcing the fact. The media was even invited to attend for a photo op. Current management is obsessed with projecting a public image of cleanliness and order, at the expense of more pressing issues, such as animal health and getting the dogs and cats out alive. While appearances are subjective, numbers are not, and the numbers coming out of LMAS are a depressing read that prove nothing much has changed for the animals.

In 2010, under Wayne Zelinsky, LMAS euthanized 56% of all animals it took in. For the first 7 months of 2011, under two additional Interim Directors, the euthanasia rate was 40%. In the first three months after Justin Scally took over, the euthanasia rate soared to 59%, higher than the previous 7 months or anytime in the previous year. In fact, in just those first three months, Mr. Scally presided over the deaths of 1,233 cats and 438 dogs.

Adoptions are a similarly dismal story. In 2010, 16% of all animals that entered the shelter were adopted. For the first 10 months of 2011, 18% of all animals that entered the shelter were adopted, but this moderate 2% increase was at a new $2.5 million facility on Newburg Road. In light of this moderate increase I think it is fair to ask why the Manslick Road shelter is not staffed with personnel that will serve potential adopters there and not insist they drive across town to see a dog or cat they can adopt immediately.

I agree with the writer that the staff has worked hard at cleaning the shelter, but at what real cost? The shelter is understaffed and volunteers are discouraged from helping if staff cannot scrutinize their every move. If LMAS Management would concentrate on solving the real problems, they wouldn’t have to spend such an inordinate amount of time worrying about public perception. The image problems would solve themselves.

Karen Dickson

Dickson sent that as a response to the AKN but it obviously wasn’t published.

In that post, we also said this:

Meanwhile, Jim King does everything BUT address LMAS. He brought the Zoo up in deficit discussions because his wife (a true Louisville gem) is on the board, though. Nary a mention of cleaning up LMAS to save budget dollars.

Guess who responded?

Jim King // Jan 27, 2012 at 3:28 am

jake,

as I’ve said before, LMAS is an executive branch function. I’m President of the legislative branch. We gave the Mayor 28 ways to save money that could presumably go to LMAS needs. It made no sense for me to mention LMAS in a budget “reduction” letter. The Council recently visited the Manslick center and I spoke with Justin Scally last week about adding fencing at the Animal House to allow more than one animal at a time to be exercised outside. I don’t feel you are being fair on this subject and I don’t undersand that as you seen very logical and fair these last two years I’ve been reading you.

Of course I ripped that apart:

jake // Jan 27, 2012 at 8:16 am

Jim…

The legislative branch of local government has the power to hold the head of the executive branch accountable.

You did not specifically address Louisville Metro Animal Services. It made tons of sense to mention it since the three new staffers there suck down more than $250,000 that could be used to keep that agency out of a deficit situation. Common sense could go a long way there.

You gave Justin Scally a weeks-long heads-up about your visit. We wrote about it. You already know how silly that is and I won’t berate you again. But it’s just dumb to proclaim that as making progress. It’s like telling Richie Farmer you’ll be visiting his apartment at a specific time so he’s able to clean up all the coke or hillbilly heroin from the toilet seat and shoo all the hookers away.

Not being fair? Interesting you should say that. Because the thousands of people who care about Metro Animal Services and this city’s responsibility to do something think I’m being more than fair. Your wife thinks I’m being more than fair. Jonathan Hurst thinks I’m being more than fair. Actually, all of your staff think I’m being fair. And former staff. And campaign staffers. And constituents. Many of them say I’m not being harsh enough and spend their entire days saying I’m bought and paid for by you, actually. I hear about it 24 flipping hours a day, non-stop, even on holidays, even when I’ve been in the hospital. It’s the only thing people talk to me about in this damn town. EVERYBODY seems to have an opinion and 95% of those opinions are the same (rare for Louisville).

This isn’t the most important issue metro government faces but you’re ending up with egg on your face for acting as if the five minutes you’ve spent on the matter in the five years you’ve been reading me (it was at least 4 years ago when you took the polygraph, sir) are sufficient. You know hundreds of people will make sure of it.

You’re playing pat-a-cake with this issue. So are most of your colleagues (with the exception of Kelly Downard). If you were taking it seriously, you wouldn’t tuck tail and run from the people who have been trying to work with you on it for months and months.

Reality, here, is that you’re not a blubbering tool who got elected with daddy’s money. You didn’t have that cushion and privilege. I know first-hand that you have the ability to clean this bullshit up. I personally understand and appreciate the strong desire of the entire council (get real – they all express their embarrassment of the new mayor in private) to let the mayor fall on his own face. But this issue makes our city look ridiculous. It is indicative of the lack of compassion and lack of transparency Greg Fischer has forced upon the metro area under the guise of – yep, compassion and transparency. It’s utter horse shit. Or dog and cat shit, if we’re getting technical.

You have direct access to me and thereby have direct access to every single person working on this. If you don’t want to get your hands dirty? Send someone else to do it.

I may be argumentative on every other issue for the sake of being difficult and to drive up readership. But I have proved I am right on Metro Animal Services for several years. I will own that.

Yeah. Head – desk.

P.S. We also said this:

It’s time for the Democratic Metro Councilman we’ve been hinting about to sack up and speak out on LMAS. Because no one else has the guts to try improving the place.

And it’s beyond time for that councilcritter to sack up and get to it. He knows who he is.

Remember when Louisville Metro Animal Services shut down during a disease outbreak?

Remember when Justin Scally, Greg Fischer and Sadiqa Reynolds were adamant about all animals being tested?

Yeah, about that.

Turns out, according to an LMAS employee and volunteers, not all dogs and cats were tested as promised. They were merely killed.

As of this week, the Manslick location has turned away not one, not two but seven people (all asked to go there by me, admittedly) who have shown up to try make an adoption. This has been going on for weeks and weeks. They’re told the only animals up for adoption are located at Animal House on Newburg. Despite, of course, all animals being legally up for adoption unless they’re involved in a court case.

And the girl with the drug conviction? We hear she’s still causing problems when it comes to providing pain medication to animals because she cannot administer or handle narcotics. Note: If you kept an animal at your home, in severe pain and didn’t offer proper care? You’d be charged with animal cruelty and neglect.

Meanwhile, Greg Fischer and crew continue to paint a puppies and rainbows picture of LMAS.

Meanwhile, Jim King does everything BUT address LMAS. He brought the Zoo up in deficit discussions because his wife (a true Louisville gem) is on the board, though. Nary a mention of cleaning up LMAS to save budget dollars.

It’s time for the Democratic Metro Councilman we’ve been hinting about to sack up and speak out on LMAS. Because no one else has the guts to try improving the place.

Animal Services

After years of negative stories about Metro Animal Services, and much skepticism regarding the hiring of the new director, Justin Scally, I feel compelled to share some good news.

I am a longtime vollunteer for MAS and other animal welfare groups, and a recent visit to both Animal House and the Manslick facility give me hope that things are getting better for the homeless pets in our community. The animals at MAS appear to be healthier and the kennels cleaner than I have ever seen them. The staff not only seems to genuinely care about the animals, but is working together as a team to make the best of a less-than-favorable environment.

Now, if our officials can see fit to fund the agency as needed, and pass and enforce mandatory spay/neuter legislation, we might actually see a big decline in the number of unwanted pets and unnecessary euthanasia of our companion animals.

Karla Haas
Louisville 40205

What the letter writer doesn’t tell you is that she owns Rudy Green’s. She holds a publicity stunt once a year (really, just one day per year – like on December 22, 2011) in donating food to Louisville Metro Animal Services.

From a release promoting the most recent event (Brosko’s punctuation, not ours):

LOUISVILLE (December 21, 2011) Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) dogs, cats, rabbits and hamsters are about to get a meal fit for a king! On Thursday, December 22, Rudy Green’s annual holiday offering, the Holiday Boof-fet, is coming to both Metro Animal Services locations. Turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans, pumpkin and cranberry will be served up to some amazing animals. Don’t worry, it’s not table scraps, but human-grade food made especially for four-legged friends. Rudy Green’s Doggie Cuisine is a human-grade product made from 100% real meat and veggies and contains no “meat meal,” by-products, dyes, preservatives or fillers. The food is also made without seasonings or spices which may be harmful to a dog’s digestive system or health.

“Human’s can eat it, too, but they might want to add salt and pepper,” says Karla Haas, President of Rudy Green Inc., the maker of Rudy Green’s Doggie Cuisine.

The meal will be served at Animal House Adoption Center (3516 Newburg Road) at 11 a.m. and at the Manslick Facility (3705 Manslick Road) at 3 p.m. Media is welcome at either site.

“This is a real treat for our animals,” said Louisville Metro Animal Services Director Justin Scally. “Rudy Green’s is providing a great service by donating a percentage of their profits as well as the holiday meal to local Animal Shelters.”

She also doesn’t tell you that she has never been a volunteer at LMAS. She visits the shelter on Thanksgiving and Christmas when staff know she’s supposed to be there promoting her products. According to current and former LMAS staff, she doesn’t serve cat food and hasn’t recently visited the cat room.

Dishonest spin. The Manslick Road facility is as nasty as it has ever been and regular readers know Miss Haas didn’t base her letter in reality.

Unfortunately for Greg-Sadiqa-Spinsters, former LMAS staffers are keen on setting the record straight. And several Metro Council members have finally decided to wake up. 2012 will be interesting.

Mitch McConnell spent part of his time this weekend addressing Burmese refugees here in Louisville. [FOX41]

Go read the quote from Greg Fischer about local food in this story and tell us you don’t feel like he’s talking down to some five-year-olds in his mind. [WHAS11]

What? Greg Fischer is in another socialite photo spread? You don’t say! [Voice-Tribune]

Can you imagine Greg Fischer sitting on a panel of mayors to discuss educational reform? HAHAHA. He went to an exclusive private school and every member of his family did the same. He’s literally never worked a day in his life for a paycheck. And still thinks he can come off knowing anything about the needs of public education. HAHAHAHAHA. [C-SPAN]

Don’t hold your breath, Curt. Emily Dennis isn’t about to dig too deeply. And if the case got to the point where Jack Conway had to appoint a special prosecutor, it’d take a couple years for anything to happen. And then folks would plead down to misdemeanors. Won’t even get that far unless you’re willing to spend $30,000ish on attorneys to push it. [Curt Morrison]

The Public Service Commission approved LG&E’s land swap with Metro Government to help complete a 100-mile hiking and biking trail. From a release: Louisville Gas & Electric Co. (LG&E) will deed 6.94 acres of land at its Cane Run power plant in western Jefferson County to Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government in exchange for 17.198 acres of vacant city-owned property that abuts the Cane Run plant property on Woodland Avenue. Because the city property has a higher appraised value, LG&E also will pay $56,400 to Louisville Metro government. [Press Release]

Remember Todd Lally? Now he wants to run for the newly-created 10th District State House seat in Eastern Jefferson County. [Ryan Alessi]

Greg Fischer promised he’d stand up for equality as he pocketed thousands upon thousands of gay dollars on the campaign trail. So where’s he at now? Not standing up for equality. [Here & Here]

Congressman John Yarmuth is cosponsoring two bills that ensure no U.S. citizen may be indefinitely detained or have their right to due process violated. [Twitter & More Twitter]

How excited do you think Greg Fischer was to hear Ed Hart chapping his rear end on the radio today? [WFPL]

Perennial candidate Chris Thieneman filed to run for State Senate in the 37th district. [SoS]

So check this email that was sent out by a volunteer to other volunteers:

From: REDACTED NAME @louisvilleky.gov
Date: Fri, Jan 20, 2012 at 1:50 PM
Subject: Weekend Adoption Special: Tell ALL!

Hello Wonderful Volunteers!

We are having an exciting Adoption Special from Friday, January 20 thru Sunday, January 22 at Animal House Adoption Center. Cats and Dogs a year or older will only be $15 with an approved adoption application! Please tell all your friends, co-workers, and relatives. Please post on your facebook and twitter and LIKE LMAS if you have not already and spread the word! Help get some of your favorite furry friends adopted this weekend and into some warm homes:)

Also, we have created a new information station with everything you need to know about adopting and responsible pet ownership. All the ladies at Animal House worked hard and we would love you to see the wall and give us any input on what to add etc.

It was a great opportunity and one that deserved more attention from the community. Unfortunately, no one heard about it and no one in the press that we spoke with (the folks who typically cover these things) had heard about it. And hadn’t really heard anything from LMAS in a long time.

This is on top of no longer contact dog fosters (unless Derby City Dog does it for them). They don’t ask fosters to come in for cats – they just kill them. They don’t inform individuals surrendering animals they can’t afford about the food bank that No Kill Louisville operates. They no longer reach out to the individuals who have for years helped locate emergency fosters to prevent euthanasia (out of bitterness toward folks who ask questions and raise concerns).

That’s professionalism, for sure. Definitely compassionate.

Nothing is changing.

Funny you should ask…

Seven in 10 pet owners say they believe animal shelters should be allowed to euthanize animals only when they are too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be adopted.

Only a quarter of the people who took part in a recent AP-Petside.com poll said animal shelters should sometimes be allowed to put animals down as a population control measure.

-SNIP-

Younger pet owners are most likely to favor no-kill policies, with 79 percent of those under 30 saying shelters should only euthanize animals that are untreatable or too aggressive, compared with 67 percent of those age 50 or over saying that.

The poll results are encouraging to leaders of the nation’s no-kill movement, who’d like to see the U.S. become a “no-kill nation” with homes for every adoptable pet, and euthanasia reserved only for extremely ill or aggressive animals.

-SNIP-

He believes the country can achieve no-kill status by 2015, partly due to corporate giving to animal causes, which totaled about $30 million in 2010 and is expected to reach $70 million by 2015. That money can help with spaying, neutering and outreach, he said.

Public attitudes are also changing, with more people saying it’s unacceptable for pets to languish or die in an animal shelter, Avanzino said.

-SNIP-

About 44,000 animals enter New York City shelters each year. Since Sayres has been there, the euthanasia rate has dropped from 74 percent to 27 percent.

Click here to read the entire piece.

Then ask yourself why Greg Fischer continues with the myth that it takes a decade to go no-kill. Ask yourself why your paper continues to whitewash the mess at Louisville Metro Animal Services. And then remember that you live in Louisville, where it is literally uncool to question authority, uncover corruption, do the right thing, care for those in need or stand up against bullshit.

Regardless of what happens today with the University of Louisville Hospital merger decision, Kentuckians will still be screwed. You already expect it, we know. [FOX41]

Pro-tip to to Patti Swope: Stop spamming us and everyone else with unsolicited press releases. Or get a new PR agent who takes your business relationships more seriously. [Come On]

WHAS11 explores the lives of 3 transgendered women living in Louisville. And, of course, that exploration pushes nothing but stereotypes. Come on, Gene. [WHAS11]

As I explained to Curt Morrison at the time, and he apparently didn’t take to heart, the person who solicited inaugural funds from Ed Hart and Bruce Lunsford was Tommy Elliott, not Christy Brown. I know because they told me so and have email trails to back it up. Even KREF is ignorantly placing blame in her lap. Christy may be the River Fields frenemy everybody loves to hate but she wasn’t involved in that mess of Greg Fischer’s. Maybe every other mess, but not that one. That’s all Tommy Elliott, Jim Mims and Bill Bardenwerper. Hopefully Christy will finally learn her lesson about trying to play power broker for her favorite little boy, Greg. [Curt Morrison]

Oh, look, the Ohio River Bridges Debacle talking points are spreading amongst the loyal. Thank goodness Kentucky has no money and won’t be able to build a downtown bridge. [Business First]

You’ve seen the corruption Greg Stumbo admits publicly he’ll do nothing about, right? Because it involves his friend, Keith Hall? The guy Crit Luallen fingered in a massive audit? The guy Jack Conway refuses to investigate? The guy the Ethics Commission fined and spanked? Yeah. [Page One]

Frankfort is still living in the dark ages, believing their pseudoephedrine legislation will solve the meth problem. Something that’s only really an issue in ten counties. And wouldn’t be if more than 30% of doctors and pharmacists actually used systems that already exist. But that’s the Kentucky way – raising costs to Medicaid, killing tax revenue and playing to fears. [C-J/AKN]

Sorry, WAVE, you didn’t have an exclusive on Senate Republicans meeting with Steve Beshear on gambling. Every outlet with a reporter in Frankfort or covering Frankfort had the story and interviews. [WAVE3]

We can’t decide if this story makes Greg Fischer look disconnected or just a bit confused when it comes to the economy. [NYT]

Here’s a history nerd look at vintage buses of Louisville’s transit past. Remember when Louisville had transit dreams? [Broken Sidewalk]