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Pets in Peril

Hank Investigates: Pets in Peril

Did you lose your dog? Is your cat missing? Our investigation found here is where they might be: in a freezing shed, a filthy shack, living with rats or crammed into a tiny cage in a run down shelter.

    Martha Armstrong, HSUS
    "In many instances they're death traps."

State law says each individual town should provide shelter for strays, but unlike kennels and pet shops, there are no minimum standards or inspections for town shelters! The Humane Society of the United States calls the state's system "shameful."

    Hank
    "Are animals in Massachusetts suffering right now?"
    Martha Armstrong, HSUS
    "Animals in Massachusetts are suffering right now."

Dozens of local animal control officers told us they've begged their towns for money to improve the shelters. When towns say no, here is what can happen.

In Somerville the shelter is a DPW garage. There is no drainage system and frankly these animals are walking in urine.

    David McCloskey, Somerville Animal Control Officer
    "Well they have to walk around in it, they step in it, they jump on us, it gets on us, it gets on them."

This cat shelter is a converted bathroom. Some of these animals may not be here tomorrow, when the cages get full pets get put to sleep.

    David McCloskey, Somerville Animal Control Officer
    "I just feel bad for the dogs having to stay here especially when you have dogs that are really scared."

Big Max was found wandering the streets. Now his cage in Holbrook is so small, his wagging tail hits the brick wall, a wall now streaked with his blood.

    Hank
    "Why don't you put him somewhere else?"
    Wayne Crothers, Abington Animal Control Officer
    "I don't have somewhere else to put him."

How can it happen? Though other states have strict standards for shelters, Massachusetts doesn't. What's more, law enforcement officials complain, since there are no shelter standards to enforce, technically there can be no violations!

    Hank
    "What do you think about that?"
    Captain Robert Fennessy, MSPCA
    "Totally unacceptable."

Here's the result: In Fairhaven, disease-carrying rats invade the dogs' cages.

    Cathie Mindlin, Fairhaven-Achushnet Shelter
    "It's just disgusting all around."

In Ashland the heater doesn't work.

    Cheryl Rudolph, Ashland Animal Control Officer
    "We just don't even have basic needs."

The Medfield shelter has no running water and crowded cages can spread disease.

    Hank
    "How do you keep them clean? How do you keep them safe?"
    Jennifer Shaw, Medfield Animal Control Officer
    "It's hard."

But because there are no standards, these shelters stay open.

    Hank
    "If there were regulations what would happen."
    Jennifer Shaw, Medfield Animal Control Officer
    "I think they'd shut it down."

Under current law, officials can only take action in emergencies, when they confirm complaints like these: shelter dogs starving or kittens being put in a freezer to kill them.

    Hank
    "Do you fear there are problems you don't know about?"
    Capt. Robert Fennessey, MSPCA
    "Yeah, you know and that's one of our greatest fears."

As a result, though each year thousands of lost or abandoned animals may get picked up off the street, these shelters could very well be their last stop.

    Martha Armstrong, HSUS
    "It really is heartbreaking. Facilities that were supposed to be built to protect and be safe havens for animals are basically just hell holes."

State lawmakers could change the current system but we found right now, there are no specific plans under consideration.

If you have a comment about this story, send it to hryan@whdh.com

If you've lost your pet or you want to adopt one check out these websites:

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Segment Information

Reported by:

Hank Phillippi Ryan

Producer:

Mary Schwager

Contact:

helpmehank@whdh.com

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