Pros and Cons on the Humane Society

I would like to clarify that my involvement was at the request of a diverse group of my constituents. They asked that I meet with the board of the Humane Society to discuss their concerns. As an elected official, this is something I am frequently asked to do and a job I take very seriously.

As a longtime supporter of the Humane Society, it saddens me that the administration views us as a group trying to destroy them. The opening sentence of our mission statement, which I read to the Humane Society board, clearly states that "We are before you as people concerned with the welfare of animals and as supporters of the Humane Society. We represent many members of the community and hope that we will be allowed to help create a more open, user-friendly and out-reaching organization."

The key points in our mission statement are as follows: "More can be done to improve the well-being of animals entrusted to your care; ways can be found to improve and expand animal adoption programs; a dramatic increase in the number of animals spayed and neutered can be achieved without the expense of an architecturally designed clinic; an isolation area needs to be created and more comprehensive veterinary care provided; a much more expanded and more vigorous volunteer corps should be welcomed, organized and trained; the philosophy of the Humane Society governing euthanasia should be more clearly defined; community relations can be improved and better communication with the public established by a more friendly attitude on the part of all personnel."

In addition, our group submitted the names of five qualified persons to be considered for appointment to the Humane Society board. Copies of our mission statement can be obtained by writing the PAL Project, P.O. Box 1207, Ojai, CA 93024.

SUZA FRANCINA

City councilwoman

Ojai

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I would like to make it clear to all residents of Ventura County that the Humane Society does not make up the rules along the way. Humane officers uphold penal code laws of California.

If one were to look into public records on cases filed with the district attorney's office, one would find a different story than the one portrayed in your articles.

Our first job is to educate. We do not run around just storming people's property. Many attempts are made to get compliance from animal owners before more drastic measures are taken.

Very few cases are even taken to the district attorney's office. In Ventura County, humane officers investigate between 500 and 700 cases of animal abuse, neglect and abandonment per year. Out of these reports, four to six cases per year are taken to a deputy district attorney for review. After reviewing the cases, the district attorney's office decides whether or not to file a case.

We have to follow the same criteria as any police officer when obtaining a warrant or submitting a case for review. We have no say as to whether or not a case gets filed.

Some claim the humane officers are overzealous. Only the worst animal abuse cases are filed. It is a shame that in our society child and animal abuse are so common.

Humane officers are run through a gamut of training that is accredited by Police Officers Standards of Training and the California State Humane Assn. They ride with a badged officer for almost six months before going into the field by themselves. I think this is why so many agencies depend on our officers; they know we are professionals.

Oh, there are some who do not like what our officers do, but then some of them have had complaints made against them. It seems every time you do your job, someone has to complain.

The claim of SWAT-type raids are ludicrous. If a large number of animals must be impounded, then it takes many people helping. Other agencies are called in if other laws are seen being broken. Humane officers take an oath like all police officers, agreeing to uphold the laws of the state.

A year ago the laws were stiffened as to how a humane officer can operate. Although our officers have never carried guns and do not intend to, we were glad to see these laws toughened up. It keeps bad officers out of the animal protection field.

As far as all this talk of humane officers running around with no control, this is simply not true. Our district attorney's office has supplied our officers with an investigation protocol manual. We seek advice from our own attorneys as well as relying on other sources, rather than running out half-cocked on any case.

If you had used some unbiased fact-finding techniques for our side of the story, you would have reported it as such.

JEFF HOFFMAN

Senior officer,

Ventura County Humane Society

Ojai

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