The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation was outraged by an article published by the Los Angeles Times on December 14, that revealed a horrific account of animal cruelty within a city animal shelter. The cruel practices were perpetrated by Manuel Boado, a Register Veterinary Technician (RVT) in the employment of LA Animal Services.

The Foundation has filed a complaint with Brenda Barnette, the General Manager of LA Animal Services, seeking an explanation of events. We have requested assurances that no additional companion animals will suffer the same intolerable treatment, questioned why no formal complaint has been registered with the Department Of Consumer Affairs Veterinarian Medical Board, and asked why the case has not been referred to the District Attorney's office for prosecution.

We feel strongly that all concerned citizens should consider doing the same so that your voices can be heard.

A copy of the complaint has been reproduced below for online presentation:

Letter Of Complaint To LA Animal Services

December 15, 2011

Ms. Brenda Barnette
General Manager
LA Animal Services
221 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90012

RE: RVT Manuel Boado's Termination

Ms. Barnette:

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation (the Foundation) has long supported public animal shelters with significant financial contributions as well as advocated for the ethical and humane treatment of all animals, regardless of whether they are in shelters, with rescue organizations or in homes. Unfortunately, we have been informed of the attached LA Times article, "L.A. Fires Animal Shelter Worker Over His Euthanasia Practices". The details, as revealed in the article of this egregious situation, raise several questions for which we seek your immediate explanation.

The article indicates that you "did not consider referring Boado's case to the district attorney's office for prosecution." Would you please explain why you, as the head of Los Angeles Animal Services (the Department), determined that the abundance of facts supporting Mr. Boado's intentional, egregious, cruel and inhumane conduct did not warrant an immediate referral to a law enforcement agency (such as the Los Angeles Police Department) and/or an impartial LA City investigative department for further investigation and subsequent submission to a prosecutorial agency?

Moreover, following verification with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Veterinarian Medical Board, we noted that your Department has not filed a complaint regarding this incident. Would you please advise to why the Department did not immediately file a formal complaint with the Department of Consumer Affairs, Veterinarian Medical Board, which would launch an investigation by the State Licensing Agency and likely result in the revocation of Mr. Boado's RVT license? Our Foundation, and each of us personally, are extremely concerned that your Department's failure to report the termination for cause to the appropriate State Licensing Agency has enabled Mr. Boado to continue to seek and secure positions with other animal treatment clinics, with the unacceptable likelihood of the repetition of his cruel and inhumane conduct.

Finally, please advise of what steps you have taken (e.g., installation and regular monitoring of security cameras) to ensure that no additional companion animals housed in your shelters suffer the same intolerable treatment, which has resulted in an understandable and deserved public outcry and an embarrassment for the Department.

We look forward to a prompt response.

Sincerely,

THE JASON DEBUS HEIGL FOUNDATION

Nancy HeiglKatherine Heigl

cc:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
City Councilmembers
Commissioners, Board of Animal Services
Dr. Peter Weinstein, President, SCVMA
Assistant District Attorney Debbie Knaan

You can view or download a PDF version of our original letter of complaint below.

Please express your thoughts and concerns via e-mail to:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa mayor@lacity.org
Eric Garcetti, President, LA City Council councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org
Brenda Barnette, General Manager, Animal Services brenda.barnette@lacity.org
Melanie Ramsayer, President, Animal Services Commissioners ani.commission@lacity.org