Animal Shelter Problems Prompt Call for Audit

A city councilman is calling for outside audit of the beleaguered Animal Services Department after disclosures that hundreds of animals were being housed in cramped and dangerous conditions at the South-Central facility.

“It’s obvious they are not doing a good job of taking care of the problems,” said Councilman Hal Bernson, who introduced the motion calling for the audit.

Bernson’s request will be reviewed by the council Public Safety Committee before the full council considers the matter. He hopes the investigation can be completed in six months.

Confronted with horror stories about overcrowding, euthanasia and dogs killing other dogs, the City Council voted last week to convert LAPD’s old 77th Street police facility into a shelter.

Currently, 54 kennels are used to house hundreds of dogs at the city’s South Animal Shelter. As a result, staff members euthanize 80 animals a day at the facility, officials said.