Audit of Animal Services Reveals Financial Negligence
The Los Angeles Department of Animal Services has been revealed to have no inventory of the thousands of animals in its care, as well as having lost millions of dollars in revenue according to an audit released Wednesday.
Plagued by scandal last spring when several animals were stolen from the Lincoln Heights location, it appears that the department has made minimal to no efforts to improve since then.
An investigation uncovered improper inventory of shelter stock in the six locations, provoking the possibility for animals to have been stolen or sold by employees.
City Controller Wendy Greuel announced her findings this morning at a news conference, stating that currently these shelters foster, “an environment with the potential to jeopardize animal safety,” adding that the findings are “unconscionable and unacceptable.”
The loss of revenue is a result of the department’s negligence in billing dog owners who didn’t pay for their animal licenses – a total of $1.3 million lost over two years. Additionally, $125,000 of revenue was found missing from microchips that help link found animals to their owners.
“The Mayor and City Council are well aware of these problems," said General Manager Brenda Barnette. "That’s why they brought me on. I’m working hard every day to reform this department. I know we have a long road ahead and look forward to working with the controller and other city officials.”
For her own part, City Controller Greuel has a few suggestions to improve the conditions in the department, namely implementing stricter time-keeping for employees, and the distribution of license renewal notices to all pet owners in the database, regardless of whether or not they have paid in preceding years.
