Harris Co. Attorney's final report regarding Dawn Blackmar expected this week

Houston, TX - I have reported several times regarding serious issues at Harris County animal control and regarding the investigation of Dawn Blackmar that she broke several Texas state laws while acting as director of Harris County animal control. Several former and current employees came forward with eyewitness testimony and photographs showing violations of state law.

The Harris County Attorney’s office has been investigating this matter for six months and have told citizens that they will decide whether the matter should be turned over to the Harris County District Attorney’s office for a criminal investigation and charge(s). According to Randy Wallace with FOX 26 Houston, the Harris County attorney's final report is expected by the end of this week.

Dawn Blackmar, as director of Harris County animal control (HCAC), is responsible for upholding and enforcing the laws of Texas and Harris County. But, instead of upholding the law, according to eyewitnesses and photographs, we learned that she violated the laws and in some of the most inhumane and cruel methods imaginable.

According to eyewitnesses and photographic evidence, Blackmar and employees under her direction, violated the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Chapter 169 in the procedures used to “euthanize”* shelter pets in three ways. First, state law mandates that "Injection [of sodium pentobarbital] shall be conducted in an area out of public view and out of the view of another animal; additionally, the carcass of any animal(s) shall be removed from the euthanasia area prior to a live animal(s) entering that area." It is clear from photos that employees produced to Fox 26 news, which shows live cats in cages on the floor of a room where dead animals are strewn across the floor, while workers pull yet another live dog into the room, that this law has been violated under the direction Dawn Blackmar. According to eyewitnesses, it has been violated numerous times over many years.

Second, state law also mandates that "When using any of the allowable methods of euthanasia, each animal must be monitored between the time euthanasia procedures have commenced and the time death occurs, and the animal's body must not be disposed of until death is confirmed by examination of the animal for cessation of vital signs." Yet, a former HCAC employee told Harris County officials and Fox 26 news that, while working at Harris County animal control, she found a live Chow in a freezer. Apparently, after a HCAC employee attempted to kill him, he was put in a freezer. It is believed that he had been in the freezer for at least 24 hours but the dog had managed to claw his way out of the trash bag and survived. It is clear that not one employee of HCAC bothered to confirm the cessation of vital signs on this dog, as required by state law, before placing in him a garbage bag and throwing him in a freezer.

This story almost had a happy ending because, after finding the dog alive in the freezer, a HCAC employee offered to adopt him. But, this almost happy ending became horrific when we learned that, after surviving an attempt to kill him by injecting him with poison and after surving in a trash bag in a freezer for 24 hours, Dawn Blackmar ordered him killed (again). Instead of adopting the dog out to the person who offered and giving him a chance at life, Blackmar chose to have him killed. Blackmar's behavior, although shockingly not illegal, is outrageous and should be unacceptable, especially as Director of a so-called "shelter".

Third, employees have witnessed heart sticks being used on fully conscious dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. This is in clear violation of state law as well. Former employees, and other eyewitnesses, have confirmed that the above listed violations have continued for a long period of time.

Dawn Blackmar is paid $123,115 per year as director of Harris County animal control.

Blackmar's boss, Herminia Palacio ties for the highest paid employee in Harris County and makes $289,307 per year.

Our tax dollars pay the salaries of these government employees. Both of these people are paid to uphold and enforce state and local humane laws, yet Blackmar has abused her position and blatantly broken Texas state laws. It is outrageous that our tax dollars have been spent to pay a government employee to break state laws and abuse animals.

Last year, Harris County Commissioners forced Blackmar to change her policy regarding not allowing injured animals to be released to rescue before the 3 day hold expired so that they could receive needed medical attention. The media told the story of Hope a severely injured dog who died because Blackmar refused to release her until after 3 full days expired. Hope sat in a cage, in what I suspect was unimaginable pain, with no medical attention, for 3 full days. By the time Blackmar allowed rescuers to pull Hope from HCAC and take her to a vet, it was too late. Hope's injuries had become so severe that she could not be saved.

After the media exposed Hope's story, and exposed Blackmar's inhumane and regressive policies, many people spoke up and demanded better. Harris County Commissioners listened and forced Blackmar to change her policies.

Blackmar was forced to change her policy because citizens spoke up.

This week, the animals need you to speak up again.

This week, it is very important to contact Harris County officials to urge them to criminally prosecute Dawn Blackmar for breaking state laws.

Too many times, we've seen crimes against animals go unpunished especially if it the offender is a government employee such as a "shelter" employee. Therefore, we animal lovers must urge these officials to do the right thing. We must let them know that we are watching and that we are voters.

We must continue to speak up for the animals and demand better, as we are their only voice.

We must demand better than a director who is supposed uphold humane laws, but instead blatantly breaks them.

We must demand better than a director who consistently refuses to do anything to lower the kill rate so that it skyrockets to as high as 85%.

Do not allow this matter to be swept under the rug.

A petition has been set up which will email Harris County officials each time another person signs. Please sign it.
If you have already signed the petition, please contact Harris County officials again and demand justice. There is a sample letter on No Kill Houston’s website to make it easy.
Please email this story to all your family and friends and urge them to take action as well.
Please share this story on your Facebook walls and share with your Twitter friends.
Finally, if our elected officials do not pay attention to the wishes of citizens, then we should exercise the power of our vote, and find people who will pay attention and who will protect the animals. Most of the people involved in this matter, including the Harris County Attorney and County Commissioners Court, will be up for re-election later this year.

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*Since the kill rate at this facility rose to over 85% last March, we can’t call this euthanasia. It is the killing of thousands healthy, treatable and adoptable pets.