City Animal Protection Unit 'On Hold'

New Port Richey’s Animal Protection Unit is “on hold” as issues between the city’s police department and the unit’s volunteers are worked out.

Police Chief James Steffens’ move to put a pin in the volunteer-led unit has left supporters of the program rather unhappy. The unit receives direct supervision from the city’s police department.

A crowd of supporters defended the unit and its volunteer leaders to the City Council on Tuesday, March 5. They carried signs declaring their support. There was a significant number of representatives of animal rescue groups.

While the council didn’t take action Tuesday, Interim City Manager Susan Dillinger is proposing a meeting between police officials, city officials and the unit’s volunteer leaders.

The tussle between the police department and volunteers was brought to light by the Tampa Bay Times. Its article quoted Chief Steffens as saying the unit was “on hold.”

The Times says Sharon McReynolds, the unit’s volunteer coordinator, and Steffens “see different missions for the unit: Steffens is focused on responding to animal complaints, while McReynolds is passionate about rehabilitating every animal.”

While Steffens did confirm to Patch the unit is on hold, he declined further comment. The police department is still responding to animal calls.

Steffens is leaving the police department later this month and taking a job at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

The Times article details Steffens’ concerns about the cost of medical care rendered to a pit bull taken in by the unit after the dog was involved in an attack on a cat and man.

The dog had a tumor on its leg. Steffens “had instructed it be 'euthanized or sent to a rescue,'” the Times piece said.

McReynolds, who is owner of Advanced Healthcare Alternatives on Main Street, authorized surgey to remove the tumor. The citygot a bill for the medical care. Steffens sent an e-mail to the city manager saying he didn't authorize the expense.

McReynolds said at the City Council meeting that Steffens was aware of the dog's status prior to her surgery.

"All the times that he (Steffens) heard on the radio that an animal was being brought to the vet, was he expecting to be for free?" she assked.  "If authorization was needed for the vet, why didn't he bother calling me then?"

Other issues, such as concerns lodged by former volunteer animal control officer Beth Robbins, were also brought up as a reason for the unit’s suspension.

The unit was created last year after the city council decided to no longer contract out animal control to Pasco County Animal Services. The decision to end the contract was billed as a cost-saving measure that would result in improved services. The unit launched Oct. 1.

McReynolds gave a passionate defense of the unit to the city council. 

 “The truth is this unit had done an outstanding job with the city, and the city should be proud of it,” McReynolds said. “We remain the only all-volunteer animal control in the country, and the people in this room tonight are here to show their support of the unit as it was planned not some aborted idea. Please tell me if you want it to remain the way it is.”

Jeff McReynolds, Sharon McReynolds’ husband and the city’s first volunteer animal control officer, told the city council he is resigning as animal control officer until after Steffens leaves office.

The protection unit has had to use temporary kennels loaned to it it in a Suncoast SPCA facility, which is kept separate from the rest of the SPCA kennels but is right next door to the SPCA building. Kennels have filled to capacity. 

Jeff McReynolds said that due to Steffens’ “lack of leadership, we are no closer to having a viable kennel than we were last year when the unit began. It is truly a miracle that we have been able to hold as many animals as we have.”

Robbins, the former animal control officer who raised concerns in the Times article, was at the meeting. She said she "began to see situations arise " when she believed Sharon McReynolds "was not acting in the best interest of the animals." She said McReynolds would sometimes forego bringing sick animals to the vet and instead care for them herself with Robbins' help

"Sometimes this would result in the suffering and/or death of the animal," said Robbins, a former animal control officer in Polk County, Miami Beach police officer and veterinary technician.

Sharon McReynolds told the council said Steffens has not spoken to her about Robbins’ allegations. She responded to Robbins allegations about treatment and expressed that they were made due to “hurt feelings.”

Susan Squires, a volunteer with the unit since it launched, said she is in “awe” of the McReynolds and described how Sharon has learned to care for injured dogs.

“These two people have worked tirelessly day and night,” she said.

The unit has no hot water to bathe dogs at its kennel facility, she said. It has no sinks, bathrooms, storage or telephones, she said. Volunteers bring what supplies they can to help in their roles.

“We want a kennel that is something to be proud of,” Squires said.  “The city of New Port Richey has a chance to set an example for other cities, and you’re dropping the ball."

The Pasco Times also printed an article in which the executive director of the SPCA claimed an outbreak of parvovirus originated in the unit's kennels.