Received Sunday a PDF of a letter from
Joe Pritchard, County Manager, to Mary Greene, GA Dep. of Ag.
together with the appended
cover letter from Susan Leavens. -jsq
Mr. Prichard has made many comments
in reference to several of his employees; in recent news paper
articles and on the evening news indirectly of course that “they”
had bios opinions and even questioned my character in one article.
Mr. Prichard also informed everyone
there were no inhumane treatment issues other than the pot belly pig.
Well I believe in this document from County Manager Joe Prichard to
Ms. Mary Green with Department of Agriculture animal protection says
otherwise. I believe Mr. Prichard’s recent statement to the media
was though our investigation we found no wrong doing… lets list
them here.
After your visit I (Joe
Prichard) did an in-depth investigation of the charges.
In his last statement he indicated he spoke to some employees.
Teams of two individuals to
conduct euthanasia (There have always been
teams of two) we are selecting individuals with the most
experience. (We were told if you’re not
certified to euthanize in 6 month you would be let go). The
following criteria have not been met. Everyone in the shelter is
certified to euthanize and they still do. Perhaps that’s why two
individuals were terminated for euthanasia violations.
On the following day the
director will maintain the records. However
the shelter was written up for I believe it was 32 or 36 cc’s
missing that was an entire page under her direction.
Control an access to drugs:
Obviously the tech room was the only
room they were originally targeting… I wonder why?
Perhaps indicated in section 7. And I
also wonder why they changed it to the entire shelter?
Other procedures, discrepancies
on the methods used during euthanasia? In my statement I
wrote I have seen animals smothered in the
shelter, could this be the “other procedures/methods”?
Vet Care: the last sentence
“those animals will
be euthanized by a humane method specified by law.
Does it mean they were not done as such
before? Again in my statement and
Ronnie Ganas statement.
Personality conflicts between
the Department of Agriculture and Lowndes County employees, I
have a video which is rather interesting but I would call it more
than conflicting personalities. And then we have the chain of
command again, if we would have followed procedure. Why
would he want any claim forwarded to him? Would he perhaps fire an
employee for going to the Department of Agriculture with issues
involving live animals in the shelter?
I am not
going to comment on this I think it says enough.
Again no
comment needed
Items of concern and some others
discussed in our meeting. I can assure you of cooperation and
attention regarding all matters related to the adherence
of rules and laws associated with our animal shelter per
Joe Prichard.Hers is my concern; these were
obviously violations of the law. Which include inhumane treatment to
name just one. Regardless of his personal opinion of any employee, it
is or should be his duty as the county manager to adhere
to the law. I have no problem saying I feel extremely
discriminated against because it is obvious Mr. Prichard was aware of
what was going on in the shelter and chose to attack my character and
indicate I had a bias opinion to deviate from the problems. How he
chooses to handle these matters of concern is obviously a problem.
Retaliation… oh yes I am positive
I know the answer.
Susan Leavens
