Letter -- Tejirian

It is an utter outrage that Gerald Gracian, former adoption counselor

for the Glendale Humane Society, only received three years’ probation and

a $3,900 fine for the ill treatment and murder of so many animals.

Gracian admitted euthanizing animals and falsifying records to improve

shelter adoption rates. He illegally enclosed 200 animals at his home,

some sick and others dead. Meanwhile, the Humane Society is issuing fines

to Glendale residents for minor offenses such as keeping an extra dog or

cat. One resident whose dogs accidentally got loose and were picked up by

Glendale animal control was told that she must pay a $2,000 fine or

relinquish her dogs to the shelter. Because she couldn’t afford the

$2,000, she gave up her dogs, who were most likely euthanized.

Social scientists and law enforcement officials have identified animal

abuse as a primary symptom of emotional illness and a precursor to

violent crimes against human beings. Probation and community service are

not suitable punishments for a person who is a danger to the community.

Even though he is no longer working at the Glendale Humane Society, his

legacy lives on because many of the problems that allowed Gracian to do

what he did are still very much ingrained in the minds of the current

Humane Society employees, and the outrageous and abusive policies still

in effect.

The current contract that the city of Glendale has with the Glendale

Humane Society needs to be torn up and an open bid for a new contract

placed forth. This will ensure that an animal-friendly director and staff

will be put in charge of these innocent creatures, as well as a guarantee

that our tax dollars are not embezzled.

MARAL TEJIRIAN

Glendale