Second Albany Humane Society animal shelter employee fired

ALBANY — A second person employed at the Albany Humane Society’s Animal Shelter has been fired amid allegations of animal cruelty.

Joseph Dent, the attorney for the shelter, said attorney-client privilege prevented him from releasing the name of the employee, but Dent did confirm that a second worker was terminated from the animal shelter on Monday.

Andy Sartiano, former executive director of the animal shelter, was fired from her position on Thursday after Humane Society officials said she did not meet expectations after being placed on a probationary period following being provided with instruction and guidance on proper protocol on the treatment of animals and a written list of performance expectations.

That afternoon, in a written statement to The Albany Herald, Dent stated: “The Board of Directors became aware of inappropriate action on the part of the executive director (Sartiano) regarding treatment of an animal. … The incident was a one-time occurrence, and the Albany Humane Society takes seriously incidents in which protocol with regard to the treatment of animals is not followed. The Humane Society advocates for the ethical and humane treatment of all animals.”

On Friday, a person closely affiliated with the Humane Society also sent a message to The Albany Herald regarding Sartiano’s termination. It read: “I learned that the board had placed her (Andy Sartiano) on probation in June for instructing an employee to kill a kitten with his bare hands. The board would not agree to terminate Andy until your staff’s inquiry.”

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Dent said the second employee was fired after it was confirmed that he had also violated policy pertaining to the treatment of animals at the shelter.

“We conducted an additional investigation regarding the executive director and learned of inappropriate treatment of animals involving another employee who was terminated on Monday, Aug. 28,” Dent said.

It now appears that Sartiano and/or the unnamed employee could be in violation of state laws relating to animal abuse.

Under Georgia’s animal cruelty criminal provisions (16-12-4) one can be charged with a criminal offense if “a person commits the offense of cruelty to animals when he or she causes death or unjustifiable physical pain or suffering to any animal by an act, an omission, or willful neglect.”

The law also states that “any person convicted of a violation of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor” and any subsequent violation shall be punishable by imprisonment not to exceed 12 months, a fine not to exceed $5,000, or both; and any person who is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection which results in the death of an animal shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than three months nor more than 12 months, a fine not to exceed $10,000, or both, which punishment shall not be suspended, probated or withheld.

Asked Tuesday about possible criminal charges, Dent replied, “That is not in my jurisdiction. It would be left up to APD and under the jurisdiction of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.”

The Georgia Department of Agriculture, Animal Protection Section, licenses operators of animal shelters, rescue groups and humane societies that house animals, pet breeders, pet dealers, pet shops, pet groomers, boarding and training kennels, and aviaries. The agency enforces the Georgia Animal Protection Act, O.C.G.A. 4. The GDA is responsible for seeing that the more than 3,000 licensed animal shelters and pet-related businesses within the state of Georgia remain in compliance with their regulations and with state laws.

In 2010 and 2011, a shelter in Lowndes County came under scrutiny when accused of using the wrong drugs to tranquilize or euthanize animals in its care. At the time, Joe Pritchard, who was serving as county manager, told a Valdosta Times Reporter that one of the concerns the GDA had in its initial inspection in August 2010 was how the shelter was handling drugs used for tranquilizing and euthanizing animals.

Public reports show that concerns over practices in Lowndes County were initially brought to the attention of board members and to local officials, but until a county dog catcher and shelter employees stepped forward to confirm the allegations and one person reached out to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and to the GDA, it appears that the improper practices continued.

At that time, GDA issued the following statement regarding euthanasia: “When performing euthanasia in a shelter, each individual animal must be treated with respect (AVMA 2007). A veterinarian with the appropriate training and expertise for the species involved should be consulted to ensure that proper procedures are used. Any euthanasia method used in a shelter must quickly induce loss of consciousness followed by death, while ensuring the death is as free from pain, distress, anxiety or apprehension as possible. The euthanasia method must be reliable, irreversible and compatible with the species, age and health status of the animal. Any agent or method that is unacceptable according to the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia is also unacceptable for use in shelters.”

Furthermore, the official code of Georgia (4-11-5.1.) relating to substances and procedures for euthanasia of dogs and cats by animal shelters states: (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, the use of sodium pentobarbital or a derivative of it shall be the exclusive method for euthanasia of dogs and cats by animal shelters or other facilities which are operated for the collection and care of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted animals.

A media spokesperson from the Georgia Department of Agriculture said that any criminal charges brought against individuals at the Albany shelter would be up to law enforcement, but her agency does oversee the licensing and the assurance that policies and procedures are followed at any of the Georgia animal shelters or other licensed businesses working with animals.

Last week, Albany Police Chief Michael Persley confirmed that he is investigating the matter. He was unavailable for additional comment at the time of this report.