The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services announced the new policy at a regular commission meeting on Tuesday following a brutal attack on one of its staff members at the Harbor Shelter in San Pedro.
Los Angeles Animal Protection Services kennel supervisor Leslie Collier was attacked and seriously injured by the shelter dog, 63 pounds, Bully, on May 31 while attempting to remove the dog from its kennel.
Corea has more than 20 years of experience at the shelter and, as of June 5, has undergone three surgeries for injuries sustained during the attack.
In response to the attack, Los Angeles Animal Protection replaced its “red list,” which had a three-week deadline for euthanizing dogs for health or behavioral problems, with a new “72-hour” list. Currently, shelter dogs have 72 hours to be rescued from a licensed rescue organization before being euthanized if they exhibit dangerous behavior.
Stacey Daines, general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, said this is a temporary policy until the shelter is back in a safe operating state.
According to shelter records, Bree showed signs of fear, stress and anxiety, and generally appeared to be unwell in the kennel environment.
Daines said the attack demonstrated the dangers of an overcrowding crisis at shelters, noting that understaffing at the six city-run shelters meant Harbor shelter staff were having trouble providing proper care.
“Overcrowding at the shelter has reduced the amount of time volunteers and staff have to stimulate Bree outside her cage and keep her calm and content inside,” Daines said.
“We have a lot of people being bitten and attacked in shelters, they’re overcrowded and they’re not euthanizing animals that need to be euthanized in a timely manner and this has to stop,” Collier said.
It’s unclear how many staff and volunteers at LA Animal Services have been bitten or attacked by animals.
The changes are intended to address an overcrowding crisis at the shelter that LA Animal Services says has led to staff abuse, NBCLA’s Tracy Leong reported on June 11, 2024.
Animal rights groups and volunteers with the Los Angeles Animal Protection Service have already expressed strong dissatisfaction with the new policy.
Animal rights activist Whitney Smith said the new rules undermine shelters’ ability to ensure healthy dogs are adopted, while failing to adequately address issues of overcrowding and volunteer safety.
Volunteers with the Los Angeles Animal Welfare Department then took their concerns to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, requesting an emergency meeting.
NBCLA has requested an interview with Daines’ office multiple times. NBCLA has also reached out to the mayor’s office for comment.