The 'Kill the Kitty' Video
On Monday, a nearly 20-year old video was posted on YouTube that depicts Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter employees making obscene gestures, handling a kitten and saying "kill the kitty."
It has been alleged that the voice saying "kill the kitty" on the video was Acting Shelter Director Pat Horan, but a town interview with Horan has been met with an emphatic denial that her voice was on the video.
The Animal Shelter has been plagued by a lawsuit involving alleged abuse and recently underwent changes to improve pet care.
The lawsuit was filed last year by three former volunteer animal rescue workers and states that they were banned from the shelter after “speaking out to shelter employees and town officials about the cruel and inhumane instances of animal abuse and neglect they observed at the shelter.”
The Town's Response to the Video
Within hours of the release of the video Town Supervisor Kate Murray reassigned Horan to the Department of General Services. According to a town spokesperson, Horan currently earns $92,491 in her position.
Hempstead Town Press Secretary Susan Trenkle-Pokalsky called the video “disturbing” and the comments on it “ugly and unacceptable.”
“The town finds the actions contained in the video offensive and is investigating the circumstances surrounding the video,” she said.
Additionally, town officials say it will be conducting a search for an animal shelter director immediately.
Horan was also under scrutiny earlier this year when a media outlet reported she had registered to vote in Nassau County, even though records state she resides in Suffolk County.
A Peaceful Protest
Town of Hempstead residents held a protest across the street from the animal shelter yesterday afternoon. Patch will have a full report on the protest up soon.
Town Board to Meet Tuesday
The Hempstead Town Board has a meeting scheduled for March 8 at 10:30 a.m.
There is no room for low rent jackasses on the Town payroll, whether in the Shelter or in the Supervisor's office.
That poor kitten was tortued and made to be terrified in a cruel way. One can only imagine all that has gone on in that place. People are affected by this video because unlike humans, who can help themselves, this poor kitten was at the mercy of imbeciles. There was no mercy. Anyone who values life would be upset.
/\\ /\\ ( >'Y'<) (,,,) (,,,)
Whistleblower laws make it illegal for employers to retaliate in any way, against employees who: •Report employers' violations of whistleblower laws to the proper authorities •Refuse to engage in activities made unlawful by whistleblower laws •Participate in legal proceedings under whistleblower laws We must all speak out to get the good people back in and keep the apathetic and cruel people out.
There is a solution to all that ToHAS is not: Shelter Revolution (www.shelterrevolution.org) is the website, the ADOPTION CENTER model is the solution. I hope you will endorse it for ToHAS. A better way for a better future. Basically, this innovative model relies on the No-Kill Equation (NKE), a common-sense 11-step program, to initiate an outward marketing effort. The Adoption Center model complements the NKE by redesigning the facility from a terrible prison to an inviting marketing center where happy animals mingle with customers WITHOUT CAGES! Secondly, it provides a road map to deal with animals not ready for adoption due to behavior issues. Instead of killing, it puts in place the training needed to transform rescuers and fosters into true rehabbers who can deal with these issues in their homes. "Shelters" are not the environment for this work. Sup'r Kate Murray has not responded once to any of the 4 contacts we have sent to her. It's up to you caring people to make this happen. Btw, our work is FREE for the asking!