Urgent: More dogs will die if new dog warden is appointed in Youngstown, OH

Youngstown, OH - Animal Advocates are up in arms over the imminent appointment of a new dog warden at the Mahoning County Dog Pound. Why the uproar?

The Mahoning County Dog Pound is a heart-stick facility. A designation horrifying enough on a good day. The prior dog warden, a man named Mike Fox, has recently retired. Prior to his retirement, those within the inner-circle of the dog pound report that the shelter sunk to horrifying lows.

Dogs which were to be heavily sedated prior to the heart-stick procedure typically were not. The facility lost many dogs to illness, in part due to a lack of ventilation and inadequate heating, in part due to the lack of veterinary care. Some (who wish to remain nameless) report that the prior dog warden literally enjoyed the job of killing.

Now, while the shelter is languishing at a pathetic low, there is an interim dog warden by the name of Dave Nelson, who has been appointed. According to the advocacy group, Mr. Nelson is continuing the prior warden's killing spree with an abysmal 14 dogs killed already this week.

The advocacy group believes that Mr. Nelson is being used as a puppet to fulfill the wishes of the county commissioners.

The potential fix to the dog pound's sad state of affairs? A man by the name of John Klenec who has served as Deputy Dog Warden since 2000. Local rescues have worked with Klenec and they commend his willingness and enthusiasm for saving dogs that end up in the pound.

Unfortunately, the county commissioners are on the brink of appointing the man (Nelson) with less experience (4 years vs 10 years), and a propensity to continue the countless killings that have plagued the shelter over the past several years.

What can concerned animal-rights advocates do to help? Call, email and write to the county commissioners TODAY. The vote to make Dave Nelson the new Dog Warden is July 22 - tomorrow. Time is of the essence. Click here to see an example of a letter written by a concerned animal-rights advocate; the letter is an excellent example of a thoughtful, well-composed call for action.

The contact information is as follows: (please note-mailing is the least effective method due to the time constraints)

Fax: (330) 740-2006

Email (please send to all):

General Email emailthecommissioners@mahoningcountyoh.gov

Commissioner John McNally jmcnally@mahoningcountyoh.gov

Commissioner Anthony Traficanti atraficanti@mahoningcountyoh.gov

Commissioner David Ludt dludt@mahoningcountyoh.gov

General Phone: (330) 740-2130

Mailing Address:

Commissioners Office
21 W. Boardman Street 2nd Floor
Youngstown , Oh. 44503

Please take a moment to help the dogs at this facility. The fact that the dogs are suffering at a facility so lacking in basic necessities is bad enough. The fact that the dogs die via the dreaded heart-stick method is unconscionable.

Please speak up for the voiceless animals at the facility. Help appoint a man that will treat them humanely and who will work with local rescues to reduce the number of killings at the shelter. Please take the time to do something that can make a difference. The dogs are counting on you.

If you have not yet read about the young, blind black Lab mix at the Tri-Cities, WA shelter, please take a moment to. She is in need of help. And if you would like a light-hearted story to brighten your day, please read about the German shepherd who is caring for cubs in Russia.

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