Lucas County (OH) Dog Warden Tom Skeldon continues to be under fire. Last year, a group of concerned Toledo-area residents put together a petition with 3,000+ signatures requesting the removal of Mr. Skeldo from his position as the Lucas County Dog Warden -- a position he has held since 1987.
This event, along with the shooting of a 10 lbs dog with a tranquilizer dart while it was on its front porch -- killing the dog -- led the Lucas County commissioners to appoint a committee to provide feedback on Skeldon's performance.
Yesterday, the comittee came back with their findings -- and it's not pretty.
The committee reported that Lucas County Animal Control lacks standard procedures for its daily operations -- including protocols for euthanasia and the use of tranquilizer darts to subdue dogs. The committee also very harshly criticized Skeldon's callous attitude toward animal welfare-- citing the shelter's 80% euthanasia rate, 7% adoption rate and and 18% reclaimed. The committee also pointed out that Skeldon is not working with local all-breed rescue groups, not vaccinating animals when they come into the shelters which is causing the spred of disease and that he is promoting discrimination against pit bulls.
The newspaper of record, the Toledo Blade, has also jumped on Skeldon, with this morning's editorial entitled "Skeldon's got to go". Here's part:
"Some animals have to be put down because of illness or because past abuse has left irreparable psychological scars, but Mr. Skeldon's operation illustrates a more fundamental problem. The picture that emerged from the committee's recommendations was of a dog pound that is a killing machine, run by an official who has ruled his little fiefdom so long he has become both dictatorial and callous.
The people of Lucas County want a dog warden who is sensitive to life, one who remembers that the animals in his care often are the innocent victims of abusive or neglectful owners. Mr. Skeldon, who got his job mainly because of old family ties, loves the law better than animals, and has a prejudice against pit bull breeds so entrenched he even kills puppies far too young to be considered vicious."
Indeed. Most residents in most cities want animals to be treated with compassion. While part of the dog warden's job is to protect the people from aggressive animals, the other part of their job is to protect animals from people -- by enforcing cruelty and neglect laws. And then, when the dogs make it to the shelter, knowing that that is their last hope for a good life -- not an almost certain end to that life.
The pot that Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon is sitting in is beginning to boil...and it's not a moment to soon for the animals in Lucas County.
Sounds like Mike Schumacher...
Posted by: PAMM - People Against Mean Men | October 23, 2009 at 09:40 AM
" loves the law better than animals, and has a prejudice against pit bull breeds so entrenched he even kills puppies far too young to be considered vicious"
wow. You could hardly say anything more damning about an ACO (though it's all too typical).
Can we dare to hope this fiend's days in power are numbered?
Posted by: EmilyS | October 23, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I really hope there is a serious impetus to oust Skeldon. He's a disgraceful dog warden.
Posted by: Rinalia | October 23, 2009 at 03:29 PM
This is the best news I've seen in ages! To see that dog-hating killer sacked after so many years of tyranny is nothing like what he deserves for his ignominious conduct, and his bosses deserve their share of the blame for the length of time it was allowed to go on too, but at least Lucas County can expect to see the back of this evil idiot soon.
Kory Nelson and Colleen Lynn next hopefully...and Lord Kenneth Baker...Hugh Wirth...
Posted by: Karen | October 23, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Hooray for the Lucas County citizens who started this snowball. May it roll right over Skeldon and push him out of office. The animals in his jurisdiction have suffered too much for too long.
Posted by: Social Mange | October 23, 2009 at 07:20 PM
I am in Wood county and would be willing to take the pit bull puppies from the shelter and find rescue groups who might help me find homes for them ,but a recent moratorium has stopped the adoption of these puppies and is my understanding that they cannot be adopted but held at the dog wardens until they reach the 3 mo. age for euthanasia. This should be a crime in itself. Any suggestions are appreciated. The dog warden has taken it upon himself to impose a pit bull ban in lucas county and it is ludicrous to think that these puppies are dangerous in the hands of a responsible dog owner. In addition I have 4 rescues, one being a pit bull/lab mix.
Posted by: Pam | January 06, 2010 at 03:38 AM
Pam,
The best I can say is to continue to put pressure on the county commissioners to hire a new warden that will actually make saving lives a priority. And then, when their terms come up, be sure to get better candidates in office than Skeldon-Wozniak and Peter Gerken. They are the ones who kept the policy....so getting new blood (outside of Konap) on the county commission is the best option, long term
Posted by: Brent | January 06, 2010 at 09:02 AM