One year after Blood in the desert

After the tragic deaths of as many as fifty dogs in Chevelon Retreat by animal control, have changes been made to ensure that something like that never happens again?...the answer may surprise you

Last year the Mogollon Connection broke the story of Chevelon Retreat resident Edward Harvey, and the destruction of his large amount of dogs by Navajo County Animal Control.

Mr. Harvey was arrested on May 6, 2009, after a traffic stop by the Navajo County Sheriff who found him carrying a loaded .357 in his front right pants pocket. Without a permit, this is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. With additional offenses soon to be pending, he was placed into custody and transported to Holbrook. When officers searched Harvey’s residence, they found nearly 50 dogs, some allegedly already deceased and many of the animals were allegedly in poor condition.

We contacted Wade Katchner, then Director for Navajo County Public Health Services, who oversaw Animal Control.

“We had received information from the Sheriffs Department that they needed assistance with a felony search.” He had explained, “There were a number of dogs that reportedly were in poor condition, and they (Sheriff’s Office) were not sure of their disposition. Unfortunately, given the nature of that specific event, and our limited resources, decisions had to be made. We try as best as we can, but this situation left our guys with no other choice.”

After assessing the situation, Animal Control officers returned the following day and shot the dogs, citing that there was nowhere the animals could have been taken, and that they would not have been able to have survived the trip based upon the officers’ non air-conditioned vehicles.

“There was no one who could handle that number of animals,” he had stated.

“This IS the worst thing I have seen in my 10 years of doing this,” exclaimed Martin Mersereau, Director of the Cruelty Casework Division for PETA, when we contacted him. “…They need to put down the guns, and pick up the phone.”

Outrage outpoured from the public and Jennifer Brown, Animal Sheltering Advisor for the Cruelty Investigations Department of PETA, issued an open letter to Dr. Kartchner asking for change.

“We urge you to immediately implement a departmental policy requiring that the Humane Society of the White Mountains (HSWM) be consulted on large-scale cases such as this one; that humane, legal euthanasia by injection of sodium pentobarbital by trained, state-approved professionals be used to euthanize animals who must be killed; and that gunshot be prohibited unless field emergencies require on-site euthanasia of large animals or animals in the throes of agonizing suffering.”

We asked Dr. Kartchner following the issuing of the letter if there would be a policy change considered in this situation.

“Policy changes, probably not,” he stated, “it is difficult to write policy changes for everything that comes up.”

However, a few weeks later Dr. Kartchner changed his direction and Animal Control, PETA, and Navajo County reviewed the situation to see if changes should be made.

Dramatic changes would be made, and on January 4, 2010, Montana Slack, Ph.D. became Deputy Director of Animal Control. Within minutes of the announcement of his arrival to the department, which he renamed to the Navajo County Animal Care & Control Department, resignations from within animal control were given, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a new.

“This was a positive,” explained Mr. Slack, “It gave me the opportunity to put together staff that had a passion for their job, something that is critical in this field.” The new Director also stressed how blessed he was that the former deputy chief for the Navajo County Sheriffs Office, Bernard Husser, had just retired and was willing to come on board to assist him.

“I can’t think of a more qualified person,” he continued. “Bernard is an expert and professional far and above what I could have expected.” Mr. Slack stated that one of the first things he changed about the department was the look and name. Officers now have uniforms and vehicles that are well marked.

“We put six inch lettering on the sides of the trucks so there would be no mistake who we are.”

Since the two have taken the reigns, there has been nothing but changes to a drastically challenged department. Beginning February of this year, all incoming calls to Animal Control, now go to Navajo County Sheriff Dispatch, something that had previously only gone to voicemail. There has also been a serious lack of record keeping or an adequate system to organize the information, something that has now changed with the introduction of an electronic system. This can be inputted and accessed via laptops that are now in the officer’s vehicles. Officers can check license information on animals they find on the spot now, and rather than taking them to shelters, properly identified animals can be returned to their owners the same day. This is a huge savings in cost to both Navajo County and the pet owner, but also less traumatic and stressful on the animal.

One of the best and most exciting changes is the introduction of the “Search for Lost and Found Animals” option on the website that allows citizens to search shelters that Animal Control has taken animals to, and browse through information and photographs. This is a huge savings of time and resources for a person that is unable to locate a lost pet, and now they can see multi-angled images to determine if the animal is their lost loved one.

Mr. Slack has brought in updated equipment as well, including better lighting for vehicles and a portable ramp so that officers can move animals in a more humane and less traumatic way. Previously, officers would have to lift unruly dogs into the back of their vehicle by their necks. Often the animal would let its weight fall and sometimes harm themselves or the worker. The new equipment will be less harmful to the animal, and easier for the officers to do their job.

One of the biggest and most important changes notable to the Harvey case is those involving euthanization. It will now be only by Mr. Slack or Mr. Husser’s desecration and permission that an animal is euthanized, and it will be done humanely through the utilization of chemicals.

The Director stressed that it is his goal for his department to become the standard of excellence and care for not only Navajo County, but the country. This has not come easy, however, and along with the lack of records, there has also been a serious lack of enforcement, something that his department has no tolerance for.

“I don’t care who you work for, who your friends are, what church you go to, or who you are related to, we have a zero tolerance for animals that are not licensed, and violate the ‘leash law’.” Mr. Slack emphasized that State law requires all dogs over the age of three months to be vaccinated against rabies. The license requirement is to allow city or county agencies to ensure that the dog has a current rabies vaccination. It also gives animal control agencies a way to identify the owner of an impounded animal so they can get the animal back home.

“I am a huge animal lover,” expressed Mr. Slack, “and I never realized how much of my passion for animals would come out from this job. I really enjoy helping them.”

It is exciting to see the department moving in a proactive and positive direction. We will continue to follow Mr. Slack and his devoted staff as they move to make a difference. If you would like more information about the Navajo County Animal Care & Control Department visit them on the web at www.navajocountyaz.gov/animalcontrol/.


	One year after Blood in the desert After the tragic deaths of as many as fifty dogs in Chevelon Retreat by animal control, have changes been made to ensure that something like that never happens again?...the answer may surprise you Last year the Mogollon Connection broke the story of Chevelon Retreat resident Edward Harvey, and the destruction of his large amount of dogs by Navajo County Animal Control. Mr. Harvey was arrested on May 6, 2009, after a traffic stop by the Navajo County Sheriff who found him carrying a loaded .357 in his front right pants pocket. Without a permit, this is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. With additional offenses soon to be pending, he was placed into custody and transported to Holbrook. When officers searched Harvey’s residence, they found nearly 50 dogs, some allegedly already deceased and many of the animals were allegedly in poor condition. We contacted Wade Katchner, then Director for Navajo County Public Health Services, who oversaw Animal Control. “We had received information from the Sheriffs Department that they needed assistance with a felony search.” He had explained, “There were a number of dogs that reportedly were in poor condition, and they (Sheriff’s Office) were not sure of their disposition. Unfortunately, given the nature of that specific event, and our limited resources, decisions had to be made. We try as best as we can, but this situation left our guys with no other choice.” After assessing the situation, Animal Control officers returned the following day and shot the dogs, citing that there was nowhere the animals could have been taken, and that they would not have been able to have survived the trip based upon the officers’ non air-conditioned vehicles. “There was no one who could handle that number of animals,” he had stated. “This IS the worst thing I have seen in my 10 years of doing this,” exclaimed Martin Mersereau, Director of the Cruelty Casework Division for PETA, when we contacted him. “…They need to put down the guns, and pick up the phone.” Outrage outpoured from the public and Jennifer Brown, Animal Sheltering Advisor for the Cruelty Investigations Department of PETA, issued an open letter to Dr. Kartchner asking for change. “We urge you to immediately implement a departmental policy requiring that the Humane Society of the White Mountains (HSWM) be consulted on large-scale cases such as this one; that humane, legal euthanasia by injection of sodium pentobarbital by trained, state-approved professionals be used to euthanize animals who must be killed; and that gunshot be prohibited unless field emergencies require on-site euthanasia of large animals or animals in the throes of agonizing suffering.” We asked Dr. Kartchner following the issuing of the letter if there would be a policy change considered in this situation. “Policy changes, probably not,” he stated, “it is difficult to write policy changes for everything that comes up.” However, a few weeks later Dr. Kartchner changed his direction and Animal Control, PETA, and Navajo County reviewed the situation to see if changes should be made. Dramatic changes would be made, and on January 4, 2010, Montana Slack, Ph.D. became Deputy Director of Animal Control. Within minutes of the announcement of his arrival to the department, which he renamed to the Navajo County Animal Care & Control Department, resignations from within animal control were given, marking the end of one era and the beginning of a new. “This was a positive,” explained Mr. Slack, “It gave me the opportunity to put together staff that had a passion for their job, something that is critical in this field.” The new Director also stressed how blessed he was that the former deputy chief for the Navajo County Sheriffs Office, Bernard Husser, had just retired and was willing to come on board to assist him. “I can’t think of a more qualified person,” he continued. “Bernard is an expert and professional far and above what I could have expected.” Mr. Slack stated that one of the first things he changed about the department was the look and name. Officers now have uniforms and vehicles that are well marked. “We put six inch lettering on the sides of the trucks so there would be no mistake who we are.” Since the two have taken the reigns, there has been nothing but changes to a drastically challenged department. Beginning February of this year, all incoming calls to Animal Control, now go to Navajo County Sheriff Dispatch, something that had previously only gone to voicemail. There has also been a serious lack of record keeping or an adequate system to organize the information, something that has now changed with the introduction of an electronic system. This can be inputted and accessed via laptops that are now in the officer’s vehicles. Officers can check license information on animals they find on the spot now, and rather than taking them to shelters, properly identified animals can be returned to their owners the same day. This is a huge savings in cost to both Navajo County and the pet owner, but also less traumatic and stressful on the animal. One of the best and most exciting changes is the introduction of the “Search for Lost and Found Animals” option on the website that allows citizens to search shelters that Animal Control has taken animals to, and browse through information and photographs. This is a huge savings of time and resources for a person that is unable to locate a lost pet, and now they can see multi-angled images to determine if the animal is their lost loved one. Mr. Slack has brought in updated equipment as well, including better lighting for vehicles and a portable ramp so that officers can move animals in a more humane and less traumatic way. Previously, officers would have to lift unruly dogs into the back of their vehicle by their necks. Often the animal would let its weight fall and sometimes harm themselves or the worker. The new equipment will be less harmful to the animal, and easier for the officers to do their job. One of the biggest and most important changes notable to the Harvey case is those involving euthanization. It will now be only by Mr. Slack or Mr. Husser’s desecration and permission that an animal is euthanized, and it will be done humanely through the utilization of chemicals. The Director stressed that it is his goal for his department to become the standard of excellence and care for not only Navajo County, but the country. This has not come easy, however, and along with the lack of records, there has also been a serious lack of enforcement, something that his department has no tolerance for. “I don’t care who you work for, who your friends are, what church you go to, or who you are related to, we have a zero tolerance for animals that are not licensed, and violate the ‘leash law’.” Mr. Slack emphasized that State law requires all dogs over the age of three months to be vaccinated against rabies. The license requirement is to allow city or county agencies to ensure that the dog has a current rabies vaccination. It also gives animal control agencies a way to identify the owner of an impounded animal so they can get the animal back home. “I am a huge animal lover,” expressed Mr. Slack, “and I never realized how much of my passion for animals would come out from this job. I really enjoy helping them.” It is exciting to see the department moving in a proactive and positive direction. We will continue to follow Mr. Slack and his devoted staff as they move to make a difference. If you would like more information about the Navajo County Animal Care & Control Department visit them on the web at www.navajocountyaz.gov/animalcontrol/.