FOR RELEASE 6 October 2008

CONTACT:

Mrs.. Dawn Taylor Bechtold

Ph – 888 866-8727

Email – usanimalprotect@aol.com

Website – www.usanimalprotect.org

Animals are being buried alive in Brownfield, TX Animal Shelter

     Brownfield, TX – Reports have surfaced from a former employee at the Brownfield, TX animal shelter of extreme incidents of animal cruelty including animals being placed in plastic bags and buried alive, hours after euthanasia drugs were administered.  These initial reports of abuse were said to have taken place at the Slaton, TX animal shelter.  While there have been reports of abuse in this shelter a well, we want to be clear that, the content of this press release focuses on the Brownfield shelter.

     Former Brownfield animal shelter employee Lisa Gerbach, was an employee of the shelter from March 3^rd until April 16^th and resigned after her reports and complaints of animal abuse were ignored by city officials including the Mayor, the chief of police who oversees shelter operations and her supervisor at the shelter.

     Ms. Gerbach paints a gruesome picture of the abuses that were occurring on a daily basis during her brief tenure as an employee of the shelter.  She kept detailed documentation of these cases of abuse.  Most acts, were committed by a former employee named “Zeek” who was observed:

• Leaving animals in metal cages stained with dried blood and feces in high 80 degree temperatures with no food or water for days at a time.
• Punching dogs during routine animal seizures claiming that “the dog didn’t want to go into the cage”.
• Choking cats with animal catch poles stating that “, "it's easier to choke them out with the catchpole and it doesn't take as long." He was referring to the time it takes for an animal to die using proper doses of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia.
• Placing euthanized animals in black bags while they are still breathing and taking them to the firing range to be put on the dead animal trailer while they are still breathing
• Administering less than the required doses of “Fatal Plus” causing animals to take as long as 2 hour before their death. 

      When Ms. Gerbach confronted Zeek about not administering the proper doses he replied “that was what Lieutenant said because of the cost of it”.  In a quote from Ms. Gerbach when reporting to police chief Tony Serbantez of animals being buried alive “I have no doubt that they are covered in the trash hole at the landfill while they're still breathing.

     After many ignored reports to the chief and her supervisor, Esequiel Sepeda, Ms. Gerbach resigned.   Chief Serbantanz tries to paint the picture of a possible disgruntled employee. Others in the community see Ms. Gerbach as a compassionate caring whistle blower for the welfare of animals. Dawn Bechtold, president of US Animal Protection states, “Lisa deserves a lot of credit for bringing these horrible acts of animal cruelty to light by reporting it to the press.  Any act of cruelty by a human against an animal is cause for concern but when it comes from those who are paid by taxpayers to protect and humanely care for these animals, there is a serious problem”.   While we are happy to report that “Zeek” resigned from his position at the shelter, we at US Animal Protection would like to see criminal charges filed against this former employee and all superiors who ignored the pleas of Lisa Gerbach.  You can see a full copy of Ms. Gerbach' s reports at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnimalShelterReform/message/37705. For more information on animal cruelty and the US Animal Protection Organization please visit www.usanimalprotection.org or call 1 888 866-8727.

Terrence Forbes-Taylor

United States Animal Protection

Atlanta, GA Representative