Memphis: More change is needed

Last week, many in the animal welfare world celebrated when Animal Services Director, Matthew Pepper, resigned from his position. Pepper resigned amongst a ton of criticism from activists and the public alike over the failure of the shelter. Pepper cited "uncertainty that engulfs my current position as well as the organization in general" as part of the reason for his resignation.

Let's make no mistake, Pepper has earned the criticism.

And while I won't pretend to have the full breadth of knowledge of the Memphis shelter situation, it certainly appears as if the problem runs deeper than Matthew Pepper.

Pepper took over a shelter that just months before he started, was raided by the Shelby County Sheriff's office, and the then-shelter director, Ernest Alexander (who was appointed to the position by then-mayor Willie Herenton), was arrested for animal cruelty. Pepper inherited that situation, along with a shelter that was killing 81% of the animals it impounded.  And reportedly, Pepper has complained on several occassions about an inability to discipline employees (which isn't terribly uncommon in areas with union staffs).

Under Pepper's reign, there was little improvement.  YesBiscuit! has pulled the numbers and it appears as if MAS adopted out only 11% of the animals in its care through the first 1/2 of 2011 - and 71% were killed.

In spite of this obvious failure, Mayor AC Wharton did not call for improvements at the shelter -- but instead blamed the irresponsible public, boutique shelters and even people from Arkansas and Mississippi  (who were clearly not to blame), for the high kill rates.  The same city allowed for the Memphis Advisory Board to meet behind closed doors (a violation of the state's public meetings laws), and is seeking to prosecute a former employee (and ex felon)who falsified city records and was responsible for the death of a dog that died in her truck as she hid from officials. Another dog that she confiscated from a home is still unaccounted for. This is the same city that in spite of all its problems, and animal control officers who are awaiting trial, agreed to not install webcams in their next shelter...because the poor animal control officers should not have to be subjected to such scrutiny.

The reality is, that for Memphis to make a real change, they're going to need civic support for making the change.  They're going to need leaders who will demand better from their new shelter director instead of blaming the citizens and people in different states. They're going to have to allow for the firing and disciplinary actions against employees who are failing. 

Without a change in attitude, real, positive change will be nearly impossible to achieve. And an attitude adjustment is just what is needed.  Because it hasn't been "the public" that has been failing the Memphis Shelter, it's been the leadership. And that goes up even higher than Matthew Pepper.

In an Open Letter ot the People of Memphis, YesBiscuit! writes:

"What are your expectations Memphis?  Do not be contrained by the learned helplessness that comes from years of being told "it can't be done here." Do not accept the low bar set by the city politicians who proudly send to the media a video of inept MAS workers mishandling dogs and beating them with steal poles on their way to the kill room saying. "Hey look, they we're involved in organized dogfighting -- huzzah! Yay us!"

Yogi Berra once said, "When you get to a fork in the road, take it."

The ironic and funny statement I think is very insightful. Because sometimes when there is a clear fork in the road, it is up to you to take it. It is up to you to determine the direction to go, or pave your own direction, because the path isn't chosen for you.  And this is Memphis' fork in the road. 

There is ever opportunity for them to change shelter management and keep their same attitude and continue down the same failing path. Or, they can choose a new attitude, a new direction, and fix the problem.  But this is the time for the the residents of Memphis to make their voices heard, and let the leaders in the community know that this is important. And it's too important to not make the changes needed for success. This doesn't mean just changing shelter directors -- it means changing what is expected.

Memphis -- here's your fork in the road. Your chance to change your direction, your future. Take it.

Related: Got a Prayer in Memphis?  - Ryan Clinton

 

Comments

[YesBiscuit!]

Thank you Brent. Memphis reform leaders - give us a job to do! We are ready to support you.

[kmk]

I am just disappointed the mayor did not blame Missouri puppy mills!

I'm feeling rather left out right now.

[Brent]

Give him time....

[BigSister]

"And reportedly, Pepper has complained on several occasions about an inability to discipline employees (which isn't terribly uncommon in areas with union staffs)."

So the mayor blames the public and Pepper blames the fact that the workers belong to a union as an excuse for maintaining the status quo. BS on both counts.

Brent, I love what you do, but please don't add to the national vilification of unions that is currently being used to undercut living wages and health benefits, and bring down living standards for all of us.

If you are a crap worker who belongs to a union, your superiors need to make sure they document your lousy performance as a basis for your well deserved firing. If your superiors aren't doing this, it's because they don't care, not because they are unable to get you fired.

Again, I truly appreciate what you do for pit bulls and all animals in general.

[kmk]

Well, BigSister, you're going to have a tough time convincing Brent and me to not kiss up to the city employee unions!

We've had that problem in Kansas City, MO (and that's the Royal "We" - Brent lives there; I don't). Since KCMO can't seem to fire anyone due to the unions they instituted "quotas" on the Animal Control officers to force them to do their jobs. They had to pick up X number of dogs a month.

So, what happened? Did they start picking up strays? NO - that's too much work. they just took dogs out of people's yards or bullied people into handing over their dogs to meet their quotas. they also had to hand out more citations, so they park their trucks by walking trails and parks - they sit there looking for people with a dog one foot away from their body and off- lead.

the supervisors aren't going to document employees that aren't doing their jobs because THAT'S too much like work! It would probably be easier and less time consuming to just kill them and go to prison. that's a joke, of course.

Brent, are those quotas still in place?

[BigSister]

You can work anywhere, union or not, and do a great job. Or a crap job. And if your superiors don't care, you can deserve a commendation and get nothing, or you can deserve to be fired and hold your job forever. Union or no union. I've been on both sides, and it doesn't seem to matter much, at least not from what I've seen.

It is beyond frustrating knowing that you are dealing with people who literally hold lives in their hands and they just don't care. I can certainly see how the fact that they are paid with public money and they don't do their jobs is even more maddening.

Thank you again for all the work you do for our four-legged friends.

[kmk]

Well, you're correct in that there are good workers and bad workers everywhere.

But to implement silly quotas to force people to do their jobs rather than just fire them is beyond my comprehension.

Do you remember the last episode of the old Mary Tyler Moore Show (not sure how old you are) where a new company bought the TV station and fired everyone except Ted the stupid anchorman, LOL? There are so many real-life situations that make me think of that very episode. As I recall it was the series finale.

[Paula G From Indiana]

Kim - it has been my experience in both union and non-union office work that the worse/lazier/complaining/inefficient someone is, the better the superiors like them and cater to them.

[MichelleD]

If unions don't want to be vilified I would suggest they quit protecting sub-standard workers. Maybe then people would start supporting them on the wages, working conditions, etc.

I personally know one person that couldn't get a union worker fired after he was caught RED HANDED stealing!

I know not all unions are created equal. But instead of complaining about people complaining about union protecting animal abusers - speak out regarding this common and UNETHICAL union practice and we'll support you.

[kmk]

Paula G from Indiana - I think you just explained why I retired early, LOL. I think management likes those people because, as annoying as they are, they're easier to control. Like drones.