(WHAS11) – A complete overhaul of Metro Animal Services...that is what a review of the city agency found.
WHAS11 talked with a former employee who saw the problems first hand.
"Overcrowding, which leads to inhumane conditions, which leads to more rampant disease," said former LMAS employee Charlotte Hunt.
During two stints as an employee at metro animal services, Charlotte Hunt saw all the bad chronicled on Thursday in the city's performance review.
"Dogs fighting. The doubling up of the quarantine runs where the dog got mauled recently. That literally happens every month or every couple of months," added Hunt.
Mayor Fisher believes the problems at Metro Animal Services come from the top. These issues started long before Fischer was in office.
In Aug. 2009, 14 animals died when Metro Animal Services floods. Then director Gil Meloche was heavily criticized for not having a flood plan in place.
In Oct. 2009, Meloche announced his resignation amid allegations of sexual harassment, selling sick animals, and of improperly having others euthanized.
In May of 2010 a state audit found 134 animals were missing, and in February of this year, Interim Director Wayne Zelinksy was forced to resign after it surfaced he was running a side adult entertainment business.
With a problem past, the city hopes this report brings solutions.
"It's clear that Metro Animal Services and has been for years and is certainly in need of a complete turnaround and we intend to do so." said Fischer.
Meeting basic equipment needs, discontinuing spay and neuter surgeries at the Manslick Road shelter, and pursuing positive public relations are just a few of those recommendations.
The question remains, will identifying these problems get them fixed?
"I absolutely hope we achieve a shelter we can be proud of and that you or I could feel comfortable with if it were to have the misfortune of getting lost," added Hunt.
This report also showed 60 percent of the 14,000 animals that come into the facility every year are being put down.
I spoke with Jessica Reid, president of No Kill Louisville Thursday night. She told WHAS11 the organization along with nine other local agencies have contacted Mayor Fischer requesting a meeting to discuss other possible solutions.
As of Thursday night, the Mayor's office has yet to respond.
