Robert Rush

Robert Rush, general manager of the troubled Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation, on Wednesday announced he is retiring for medical reasons. "I can't take it anymore. The stress is wiping me out," Rush, 61, told The Times. "I'll be putting off hospitalization until I retire." Rush, who has headed the department for 22 years, said his decision to retire May 5 was motivated by doctor's orders related to what he called "pretty bad heart problems."

Robert Rush, general manager of the troubled Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation, on Wednesday announced he is retiring for medical reasons. "I can't take it anymore. The stress is wiping me out," Rush, 61, told The Times. "I'll be putting off hospitalization until I retire." Rush, who has headed the department for 22 years, said his decision to retire May 5 was motivated by doctor's orders related to what he called "pretty bad heart problems."

Considering that Southern California is hardly Iowa, it's a bit strange to be wallowing in pig stories these days. First there is Grunt, the porker who was abandoned on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and then given a reprieve when 40 people offered to adopt him. The Animal Control Shelter in Carson is awaiting results of the pig's blood test to determine if he has any diseases. If Grunt is given a clean bill of health, he will soon be rooting away on an Ojai ranch. Meanwhile, a special breed of Chinese potbellied pigs who live at Kayla Mull's Creatures of Comfort ranch in Norco have received the Golden Collar Award.

The Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation has been seriously compromised by obsolete, overcrowded and poorly maintained animal care facilities and inadequate staffing in critical areas. And that is what its biggest defender--General Manager Robert Rush--says. Critics, including animal welfare activists and members of the Los Angeles City Council, say the city's six animal shelters are virtual deathtraps for stray animals and have demanded a grand jury investigation.

(Inc.) designates elected or appointed incumbents. (W) indicates that candidate withdrew, but the name remains on the ballot. Bold type designates winners. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest tenth and may total more than 100. School Boards Azusa Unified 2 vacancies 16 of 16 precincts Vote % Robert B. Gray (Inc.) 529 32.2 John M. Cummings (Inc.) 494 30.0 Delia D. Ochoa 435 26.4 Jesse Butanda 187 11.4 Baldwin Park Unified 3 vacancies 13 of 13 precincts Vote % Margaret Burnett (Inc.

The Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation has been seriously compromised by obsolete, overcrowded and poorly maintained animal care facilities and inadequate staffing in critical areas. And that is what its biggest defender--General Manager Robert Rush--says. Critics, including animal welfare activists and members of the Los Angeles City Council, say the city's six animal shelters are virtual deathtraps for stray animals and have demanded a grand jury investigation.

The Board of Animal Regulation Commissioners Monday declined to support a department recommendation that Los Angeles stop selling pit bull terriers at its animal shelters. The policy statement submitted by Robert Rush, general manager of the city Department of Animal Regulation, was defeated 4-1. Only commission Vice President Eldridge Huntington supported Rush's proposal to not sell the aggressive dogs at city shelters after the traditional seven-day waiting period.

The Los Angeles City Dept. of Animal Regulation late Friday filed a formal request with the District Attorney's office asking that criminal complaints on 18 felony counts of cruelty to animals be brought against six animal trainers for allegedly abusing chimpanzees during the filming of "Project X."

All six City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation shelters will be closed Columbus Day, Oct. 12. "We urge citizens, especially those who will be going away for a long weekend, to make certain that their pets are taken care of properly," said Robert I. Rush, department general manager. "Make arrangements for food and water for them, and for protection from the weather." Rush said that after extended weekends, local shelters often receive numerous inquiries regarding lost pets.

Mayor Tom Bradley has presented the city's St. Francis of Assisi Award to Joy Goldschmidt, who organized a campaign that has spayed and neutered thousands of cats and dogs. "I can't imagine animals having a better friend than Joy," said City Councilman Joel Wachs, who nominated the Hollywood Hills resident for the prestigious award. Goldschmidt was honored for securing more than $800,000 in free billboard advertising for the sterilization campaign.

Considering that Southern California is hardly Iowa, it's a bit strange to be wallowing in pig stories these days. First there is Grunt, the porker who was abandoned on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and then given a reprieve when 40 people offered to adopt him. The Animal Control Shelter in Carson is awaiting results of the pig's blood test to determine if he has any diseases. If Grunt is given a clean bill of health, he will soon be rooting away on an Ojai ranch. Meanwhile, a special breed of Chinese potbellied pigs who live at Kayla Mull's Creatures of Comfort ranch in Norco have received the Golden Collar Award.

(Inc.) designates elected or appointed incumbents. (W) indicates that candidate withdrew, but the name remains on the ballot. Bold type designates winners. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest tenth and may total more than 100. School Boards Azusa Unified 2 vacancies 16 of 16 precincts Vote % Robert B. Gray (Inc.) 529 32.2 John M. Cummings (Inc.) 494 30.0 Delia D. Ochoa 435 26.4 Jesse Butanda 187 11.4 Baldwin Park Unified 3 vacancies 13 of 13 precincts Vote % Margaret Burnett (Inc.

Charging that prospective pets are killed unnecessarily in Los Angeles shelters, a Canoga Park man and an animal activist organization have filed suit seeking changes in city procedures on when animals can be destroyed. Jay Tell had sought to adopt a stray dog he turned into the city Department of Animal Regulation's West Valley Shelter in Chatsworth last year, but found it was destroyed before he could do so, according to a Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit.

Another salvo was fired this week in an increasingly acrimonious dispute over the use of animals in TV and film productions. Larry Brown, president of the Denver-based American Humane Assn., said his organization will not abandon its role as the industry's animal-welfare watchdog, despite a formal request to do so by general manager Robert Rush of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Regulation.