DOUGLAS, Ariz. (KVOA) – Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels feels there has been a failure of justice after no criminal charges were filed by prosecutors following a criminal investigation into two Douglas Animal Control officers.
Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels feels there has been a failure of justice after no criminal charges were filed by prosecutors following a criminal investigation into two Douglas Animal Control officers.
The issue came to light last month after the Sheriff's Office received a report about dead animals in the desert in an area just outside the city limits, where the reporting party stated he saw frequent animal control activity.
According to the Sheriff's Office report, deputies made contact with Douglas Animal Control officer Adrian Grijalva and Michael Beck.
After questioning they admitted to dumping cats off into the barren desert for months, estimating at least 10 times. They said they did it because they thought the cats would be euthanized at the shelter.
The group claimed they did it after speaking with officials from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.
The men said the Humane Society had advised that euthanizing cats would not solve the city's feral cat problem. Beck also told the Sheriff’s Office that city officials “would be coming for them” if they didn’t get rid of animals they caught in the city, the report says.
They stated that an HSSA employee Chris Meek was also with them during the drops.
Meek denies having any involvement.
“Horrific story that’s based on poor judgement and borders criminal behavior from these people,” Sheriff Dannels said.
The Humane Society of Southern Arizona sent News 4 Tucson the following statement:
“HSSA learned the Douglas Animal Shelter, which is typically operated by the City of Douglas, is now being operated by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Department and that the two animal control officers who generally run the Douglas Animal Shelter were suspended due to alleged inappropriate behavior regarding animal care operations.
HSSA understands the Cochise County Sheriff's Department has opened an investigation into the operations of the Douglas Animal Shelter and that a now-former HSSA employee is mentioned in the investigation. This former employee served HSSA in a consultative role as an Animal Protection Specialist for rural communities including Cochise County. He did not manage operations for any rural communities to which HSSA provides consultative services and did not have any decision-making authority amongst our partner communities. His role was to advise on animal care best practices, provide guidance regarding humane treatment of animals, and, when appropriate, transport animals from rural communities to HSSA for adoption in Tucson. HSSA does not know the exact nature of the investigation or its former employee's role in it.
This employee is no longer employed at HSSA, effective March 19th.”
Animal advocate Dr. Kelly Paolisso said she was heartbroken about the incident in Douglas and can't help but feel frustrated with HSSA, remembering the controversial August transfer of 300+ pets to a known reptile breeder in Phoenix.
The News 4 Tucson Investigators broke the story and uncovered evidence that hundreds of those pets likely became reptile food. The incident has been a PR nightmare for HSSA of which it's trying to recover.
News 4 Tucson confirmed with HSSA that Meek was part of that transport to Phoenix.
“It really makes me question HSSA’s judgment, from the board particularly they are consistent through all of this yet mistakes continue to be made,” Dr. Paolisso said.
Sheriff Dannels is also losing faith in the organization.
“Last year we’ve had a couple incidents with the Humane Society related to Cochise County, excuses get us nowhere, own it, accept it,” he said.
The Cochise County Attorney declined to press criminal charges against the group, saying even though it's not a best practice that animal control officers dumping pets is not animal cruelty.
Grijalva and Beck are on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
Douglas Police Chief Kraig Fullen told us that they are now developing best practices and reviewing policies and procedures.
