Why don't you people adopt all the dogs and animals? That's right you can't afford or have room and that's a problem, so over population is being taken care the only way it can be.

All I can say is douglas county residents, make sure your dog is penned r on a leash, because, it your dog goes to the animal shelter, he will be put down by this uncaring personand a uncaring douglas county government.

Jameson: THE "ONLY WAY!" NOT HARDLY--that's only an un-educated view. It's quite more complicated and detailed than your simplistic comment. Huge progress WAS made at the shelter w/a long-term, progressive plan which was congruent w/the revolution sweeping across the USA [& world, in some cases].. But the county commissioners are not being consistent or persistant. And perhaps u r either their friend, R. Smith's frIend, OR MERELY somebody using valuable time to look for ways to be negative & maybe not even involved in any way, not even geographically. NO: it is NOT the ONLY WAY by any means.

You people as you call them volunteer their time to try and get these animals adopted. Killing them is not the only way to take care of the problem, you get their pictures out there, have adoption events, find rescues, whatever you have to do. Killing is definitely a last resort.

Right, Laura. EUTHANASIA is putting a deathly ill, hurt animal out of its misery [& hopelessly truly vicious animals]. BUT KILLING IS MORE WHAT THEY DO which is the ignorant, lazy, cold-hearted way.

isnt that like the same thing with humans though we are over populated so we should just go and kill other humans to bring our numbers down also?

The loss of the "Fix 'em Free" Program which spayed and neutered the pets of low-income residents of Douglas County for FREE is a great loss. Commissioner Mulcare's comments that this didn't hurt Animal Control is a very ignorant statement. Hundreds of puppies and kittens are prevented from being born and turned in to Animal Control, therefore saving the county countless dollars and manpower.

Commissioner Worthan's statements on the 11 Alive News interview are equally as ignorant. The 16% euthanasia rate is a credit to the leadership and hard work of staff and volunteers BEFORE new director Rick Smith's arrival. The changes he has set in place will greatly raise the number of animals killed needlessly and have already begun this week. Mr. Worthen is also well aware of the changes proposed by Smith regarding the "dangerous dog ordinance" also, which he claims to have never heard of.

Something has to be done about this man and everyone who's defending him. He's KILLING animals before they even have a chance to find love and happiness. Get him out of there, the person in charge needs to be an animal lover and have the animals best interest at heart.

I am the shelter supervisor that left rather than be dragged backwards into the days when animals died because we were convinced there was no other choice. After 18 years in animal control I learned something new everyday. I too have witnessed the senseless deaths of innocent animals. BUT I vowed at the start that anything I could do to save lives I would do it. It was a long slow stuggle but I began my career in a basically 100% kill shelter and left it at 32% kill rate. I retarted my career at a different shelter with a 34% kill rate and left it at a 16% kill rate! Why in the hell would anybody want to go back. I have seen the light! It can be done and it does not cost more. You work with the resources you have and with community involvment miracles can happen! DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS DO NOT SETTLE FOR LESS. You elected these men that are allowing this to happen and you pay their salary. Insist they do the job you want them to do.

Douglas County Commissioners need to wake up . Why are they standing by this Rick Smith ? I've never seen this much controversy over a position. I witnessed Mulcare at a humane society meeting practically fake cry over his passions for Smith. Worthan on tv tonight equates people's displeasure of Smith to a witch hunt ? Why must the euthanasia rate shoot sky high for them to take action. A supervisor quit , a interim manager quit , a animal welfare group yanked our free spay neuter program for residents , and there are 2 online petitions with thousands of signatures. All of these people cite Rick Smith and his antiquated old school ways as the reasons for actions.
Zealots ? I think not ! I've volunteered at the shelter for one year now. I've spent alot of my time and money trying to help my local homeless animals. I've now been told my volunteer application is expired and to continue helping the animals I must join Rick Smith WIFE'S volunteer group. When I continued to spend time with a dog , Cindy Smith RAN outside and told me and another guest that we were loitering !!
This is the way Smith and company treat residents that love animals !! I'm now loitering on a public facility that MY tax dollars pay for ?!

Karen, I hope you continued to "loiter" at this public facility.

Tracy (previous Supervisor), Lori and Karen all made excellent points.
My personal two cents is Mr. Rick Smith is in the wrong business and in the wrong state and county. I would be ashamed to have a Resume admitting I killed over 70,000 animals in a 29/30 year period of time. Check this out folks for a clear view of where our own BOC and Mr. Rick Smith wish to take Douglas County. St. Joseph Missouri Animal Control Ordinances
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xtl577m0v0kgyc6/chap5.pdf
I find it odd that Rick is dodging the chance to "clear the air". Maybe he's been told to refrain from speaking as not to put his foot in his mouth and embarass the county or himself further.
Sounds like there are some "kickbacks" to Rick and the BOC here. Why else would it matter to Rick whether the animals were Rescued, Adopted or Reclaimed by their owners. They would not be in his "inventory" any longer. I would think he would welcome those three options.
Carl, his wife, Tammy, along with Tracy, Mike and the regular volunteers have done nothing wrong but speak the truth and have been, are being punished for it along with the animals.
I personally know of one Rescue(r) that has been told he was no longer welcomed to pull from the shelter anymore. This due to opposing views with Rick Smith. Nothing related to the welfare of the animals.
I think it's time for the BOC to listen to it's citizens, after all, our votes put them in their positions.

Another item...the signatures are from all over the USA, true. Some of these folks use to live here or are pet owners themselves. Many signatures ARE from GA and ARE Douglas County residents. Several of them are Rescuses personnel that have received animals from our shelters and found them homes. So don't go discounting the outside votes so quickly. You know the saying..."It takes a Village". Well Rick Smith, the BOC, ACAB, and Douglas Humane Society...those folks are the "Village".

Tom Worthan's statements about signatures outside of Douglas county, GA shows that he either is unaware or chooses to ignore the valuable assistance to our shelter animals that these advocates are providing: either through networking, rescue, sponsor, adoption, and transport (to name a few). Why does he choose to discount their input? In my opinion, it comes down to this: he views them as irrelevant because they cannot cast their vote. I beg to differ Tom Worthan, as they are casting their vote in their loving acts to save the lives of these innocent animals. Many have contributed much over the last year. Why is the county permitting the nepotism to take place? Douglas county's dedicated volunteers have proven what we can do, and we do not need nor want Mrs. Rick Smith being appointed to lord over us in Rick Smith's effort to enforce compliance to his "humane" philosophies that result in the unnecessary killing of innocent animals. I am ashamed of my commissioners for circling their wagons around Rick Smith, which is a slap in the face to the citizens in this county that put them into office, as they have shown a blatant disregard to our concerns in this matter.

Politicians in Douglas County are unable to admit they made a mistake. When they reach a decision, these folks OWN it to their graves! The Commissioners decided to hire Rick Smith. Their decision CANNOT be wrong! But it was, and they are digging their heels in and REFUSING to admit it. Instead they're going to lie -- maybe to themselves, maybe to each other, but definitely to the voters of Douglas County. Tom Worthan sat in his "Chat with the Chairman" and listened to several people express their concerns about Rick Smith's proposed changes to the dangerous dog law and how it will affect the community, the animals and the shelter. Volunteers expressed their willingness to work with Smith, as well as their dismay at his refusal to discuss their concerns. This was BEFORE Tracy Thompson and Mike Pope resigned their supervisory positions there. Worthan schmoozed his way through THAT landmine, praising the shelter staff and all they'd accomplished in the past year, urging the concerned volunteers to "give the guy a chance", and talked about how he wanted the community to express its thoughts and feelings to the Animal Control Advisory Board and let THE BOARD then come to the Commissioners with a conclusion. And here's why: The Commissioners were being buried under e-mails complaining about Smith, and Worthan didn't want to hear it. Easier to call it a witch hunt to the media than to man up and say we were wrong and we need to fix it. Don't expect that to happen.

Wow, 70,000 executions??? Thats something to be proud of??
This is an individual who is using this as bragging rights for job performance? Really a sick man. I know many AC people, many good and a couple of sick individuals who should not have the job because they will euthanize as fast as they can without regard for the animals life and chance at a decent life. Obviously the county screwed up royally in hiring this man. I know one county here in E. TN who has done almost nearly the same thing and many have regretted hiring the man, their EU rates skyrocketed where as it had been under 12%. Now all these animals won't have a chance, they will die at the hands of a psychopath who likes the numbers of deaths under his belt.

The Douglas County Animal Shelter has been run poorly for a long time. It has not met the standards of a professionally run facility.
Everyone had a chance to make it better. If the thousand or so people complaining now with petitions would have done something or got involved positively, then the shelter may have been run differently. It is time to let someone come in and give them a chance. I don't know Mr. Smith so I cannot say that he is the right person. However, stop blaiiming people and do something positive your self. It might not be a bad thing that people left their comfortable jobs. It is time for a change in the way the Shelter is run!

Mark: You seem to be unaware of all the hard work still being done. NO: the people who left were NOT COMFORTABLE but rather worked hard, VERY HARD. THEY were part of the proud change made the last year that now has been lost to backward-ness. I am sorry you are not informed, but thanks for caring.

Since the elected officials won't listed to the constituents they represent, it's time to start campaigning for new officials. The current crew is dragging Douglas County backward in the ONLY area we were actually improving. They should be embarrassed and ashamed. Makes one wonder what their incentive is.

I have been a resident of Douglas County for almost forty years and have seen the shelter grow from a one room shack on county road department property to what through the great endless efforts of Mae West as Director wih many struggles. I have contacted the Board of Commissioners with my concerns as well with some action taken. The most effective was the hiring of a company to evaluate the situation and make recommendations. What happened to those?
The dismissal of Mr. Pyrdum because of his great concerns was perhaps the worse thing to do. This whole committee should have been dismissed due to their recommendations of a person with such a horrible "kill" rate in his Resume'. Perhaps the best choice would have been to hire someone with great knowledge of shelters,ordinances and State laws pertaining to same. Instead they allow a person with eighteen years experience with the shelter to be dismissed!
In her capacity as Director, Mae West developed the most effective Ordinance for Animal Control that was respected by other counties and even other states, calling for a copy of same to implement into their own counties or state due to our ordinance having such a great success within the court system.
A question I have is who made the decision to discontinue the Southern Hope Humane Society's Mae West Fix' Em program? It would seem the citizens are once again getting more "lip" service to appease than actually taking proper action.

It is quiet disheartening when Government officials care more about money than lives. Apparently those in charge do not see animals as living, breathing, loving things, only property. I had to make the hard decision to put down my 16 yr old rescue dog last week. I adopted her when she was two years old and had her for 14yrs. There is nothing in this world that compares to the unconditional love of an animal. We don’t rescue them, they rescue us.
It is quite frightening when anyone devalues life, no matter how minuscule. First animals and what next? Our children? Wake up Douglas County and make a stand, while you still can.
And I will be sharing this with all my world wide social media contacts. As should everyone else.

Welcome to Douglas County, y'all.

I have a few questions:

How many homeless people are in the Douglas County Human Shelter?

How much money does the County spend on housing people in need?

What is the phone number for the County's director of the Homeless Shelter?

When does the County's Homeless Advisory Board meet?

I have a few questions:

How many homeless people are in the Douglas County Human Shelter?

How much money does the County spend on housing people in need?

What is the phone number for the County's director of the Homeless Shelter?

When does the County's Homeless Advisory Board meet?

Maybe its time to get rid of the elected officials. If they won't listen to the citizens its time to let them go. They work for the citizens, the citizens do not work for them. What a disaster this is turning out to be. How hard is it to do the right thing for these animals? How can people sleep at night knowing what this man is doing?

You are right Deborah. They are all a bunch of phonies...even liars... sometimes lies by ommission as in the case of the DCHS pres.

If we are unable to get a recall election, at least we must stay "vocal" about what the county commissioners have done WRONG. I often repeat because I know everybody does not read everything: The D.C. Humane Society Pres. told me to "PLEASE STOP" when I was summarizing news on this issue in emails. She will not respond to me. As a volunteer of 2 years, I have done my job every week, 2 days a week, without being reminded or faltering; in fact, I created conditions for this job to even exist which is that Walmart gives us pet food they can't sell. I was even able to connect another volunteer who has been contributing several hours weekly including getting a 2nd Walmart to donate weekly. I'd have hoped for some respect! At the annual DCGS meeting, we were NOT told about losing the free spay/neuter program & were left to our own devices to find out crucial information on this bad situation. CORRUPTION is PREVAILING, so let's fight it!

Why dont we protest and make our voices heard.Would love to get one going...Please help....

JOANIE: I'm in! But we need somebody who knows how to organize a protest!

I am free to picket on sundays and mondays and all night every night. I want smith, worthan, and all of them gone. Along with all of the crooked cops and dumb laws. They have made our planet a cesspool of greed, power, and stupidity. And hate.

I agree , Joey. I would hope that the nonprofit, Southern Hope, who stopped the free spay-neuter bc of Smith would help w/the protest.We canNOT expect help from the Humane Society, and we do NOT know WHY!

Joanie, there's no point in protesting AT THE SHELTER because it would be like preaching to the choir. Why pay to demonstrate in front of Rick Smith and his wife? Your complaint is with the decision of the BOC to HIRE this regressive ignoramus, so protest wherever the commissioners hang out. Aren't their offices at the courthouse? Do it there. Maybe it could be at a time there's a big trial going on so the media will already be there. Or maybe you'll be denied permission to protest -- which would be GREAT!!! THEN you'd really have a newsmaking event!!!

with the high kill rate and them wanting to kill the cats before even being shown to the public it truly makes me wonder if they are selling the cats and dogs to China on the black market for meat! It makes me wonder. They say that China loves dog and cat meat. I know this sounds so bad and unthinkable but there is a demand and market for this!

As with others posting here, I am disturbed that this DC Animal Shelter series of issues has become a sore spot in Douglas County, GA. When we lost our cat last April, Carl & Tammy Pyrdum were very supportive in helping us find her.
We noticed how much they cared for the animals and pet lovers. Obviously, their hearts are in this struggle.
I'm also surprised that the commissioners haven't communicated their positions well or sought to compromise (aren't people supposed to work together when they disagree about major issues)?
I have a suggestion for those who love animals & are emotionally & spiritually sickened over this . . . I know it's disheartening to do good in this world but have your efforts devalued by headstrong people. Here's my suggestion. I know it isn't an easy one. It would require a lot of work. What is keeping you caring people from starting up your own animal rescue non-profit organization & gaining the power to overcome this unfortunate situation?
Search Google for "start an animal shelter." You will find a wealth of information on getting your own act together. Read this: http://www.sarasanctuary.org/newsite/content/general_info/start_sanc.php.
That's my two cents for now. Please stop and think about what it really takes to make the world a better place and be the change that you want to see. Pointing out injustice won't make it go away. You have the power to organize something much better than what you are protesting about--just my opinion. Thanks!

The humane society is as corrupt as smith, worthan, obama, osama, etc. They tell us snakes are destroying the everglades. Thats like saying snakes are destroying rainforests. And Pit bulls are destroying humans. When in fact it is people and ignorance that is the ultimate destructor. I want to gather people and picket downtown douglasville.

Richard Nichols: Plz make your comments about Carl known to all county commissioners. Ms. Goad is right--animals need us NOW. Joey Casey is right--the Humane Society is CORRUPT even to the point of infringing on the right of free speech by members w/shaming, shunning, & directly ordering to be quiet: WHY?! DCHS is caring more about "hurting the Hum Soc" than stopping the regression of lost progress and all other reports by RELIABLE SOURCES about the problems w/Smith. I will again say that my heart goes out to Mrs. Rick Smith. She's married to a tw0-faced phony.

Richard Nichols: I should have said Carl & Tammy. We need Carl reinstated on the advisrory board. And we need Tracy & M. Pope apologized to & invited back. M. Pope needs to replace R. Smith. And Mrs. R. Smith needs to find a better husband...

also even if mr IDEALISTIC Nichols does get his recommendation thru, it does not fix the problem of the central paid for by tax dollars animal control fixed. It STILL would be an issue and the animals there would still be suffering. PERIOD!

Has Smith ever publicly stated HOW he plans to keep the kill rate down? Has anyone contacted rescue groups in MO and asked how they interacted with Smith, gotten their opinion? I don't like the perception of duck & weave by the politicians and the shroud of secrecy that seems to be coming from the shelter. Those with nothing to hide, hide nothing.

Protest? One call... that's all!

Okay I have came up with the perfect protest site,Feb.20th at the Animal Advisory Board meeting 5 to 7p.m.Whos with me,if I can get atleast 20 people we will be ago,I would like more but 20 is a start.I have to have confirmations,before I go get the permit also I will call channel 11 and see if they would be interested,email me at happyma88@yahoo.com.Rebekkah thanks for your email...Come on people lets do whats right!!!!!!!!!!!

Y-w & I'm w/y'all! THANKS JOANIE!!!

You Rick Smith seem to be a bad apple in the bunch of good positive upbeat caring folks at the DC Humane Shelter. The homeless animals didn't ask to be born any more than you did. You needed the help given to you in life to grow up and be on your way and these animals need the help the staff and public have to offer to live and be on their way. Appolizing and turning from your wrong ways and working with a honest staff is your next step in doing the job thats in the best interenst of the animals you've been put in charge to care for. Please, rethink you choices.

C. Kohler: hope you'll email him your comments"
animalshelter@co.douglas.ga.us

The good ole boy system is alive and well in Georgia. Instead of owning up to a mistake, they protect their own. Killing for no reason is senseless but these people still view animals as just animals and not family pets, loving, living, breathings things. They pay for the ignorance with their lives. It is not the fault of the animals being killed, it is the fault of the humans who brought them into this world, didn't take care of them and would rather kill them then be bothered. We are a barbaric society and this commission and this Rick Smith should be ashamed of the lessons they are passing down to other generations. We should be doing all we can do fix as many pets as possible and kill as few as possible. Ignorance is bliss to many and apparently this commission loves to bask in it.

Here are his numbers from 2008-2012 , provided by the St.Jo Mo Department of Health , Mr. Smith's former boss.

Animals Reclaimed 2706, Animals Adopted 3490, Animals Rescued 144, Animals Euthanized 9658.

The percentages are as follows: 15.8% Reclaimed, 20.41% Adopted, 6.44% DOA,.843 % Rescued and 56.48% Euthanized. The stats no not lie. Over a five year period almost 57% of the animals at the St. Joesph Mo shelter were euthanized. Only 144 were rescued during that time period.

There is NOTHING acceptable about the above numbers. More than HALF of the animals that came into the shelter during that time period were put down. Very sad for the animals. After the killing of 30 animals this week, Douglas County is headed in the same direction.

I'm for the side against the no kill bunch. Because I've done my research on the NKers - and I know they are in cahoots with the dog breeders. Yes, NKers, word is spreading pretty quickly - and you guys are so obvious with your tactics, it's not hard to spot your group - they are always stirring chaos and covertly attempting to get (humane) shelter directors fired - so you can get one of your NK people in the door. Not just in Douglas Co, Georgia but nationwide. You guys want Smith out because he won't bow down and do things the NK way - which is also known as the dog breeders way.
NK is akin to satan - seeking who you can deceive and devour - all in the name of lost dog registration revenue. Wonder if the people of Douglas Co are aware of a certain no kill org down in Florida who has a dog breeder for a Vice President?
Yep, word IS getting around, my dear lit'l nk dog breeders.