Grand jury report: Orange County animal shelter plagued by deplorable conditions, disease

ORANGE, Calif. (KABC) -- For the second time this month and the fifth time in 15 years, a grand jury report is taking aim at Orange County Animal Care, the agency which runs the county's animal shelter and provides animal control services to 18 contract cities and unincorporated areas.

The report found several issues including the shelter's poor conditions creating potential problems with preventing zoonotic diseases that can be passed between animals and humans. Zoonotic diseases include rabies and endemic typhus.

It also points out a "lack of training" and "low morale" for employees, all allegedly pointing back to poor management practices and lack of leadership.

"It's consistent with most, if not all, of the allegations and claims in our complaint," said attorney Howard Finkelstein. He's representing Sharon Logan who runs a non-profit dog rescue in Seal Beach.

Logan is suing the shelter for allegedly abusing and neglecting animals in its care, and for allegedly euthanizing animals too soon.

"The shelter is not complying with the law, or for that matter, their own policies," Finkelstein said.

During an Eyewitness News investigation in May, several former employees made allegations of misconduct, even criminal actions by management. The report states those issues have been sent to the district attorney.

"It is our belief that the report in its totality does not accurately reflect the current OC Animal Care program or the commitment of all county staff and our volunteers to the humane treatment of animals," County CEO Frank Kim said.

The county is currently facing a lawsuit from another former employee at Orange County Animal Care for wrongful termination.

By law, the county must formally respond to the grand jury report in the next 90 days.