(April 21, 2008) -- LB city management today (April 21) refused a request by LBReport.com to view/video/report -- and thus show LB taxpayers -- what occurs preceding, during and after euthanasia procedures performed on dogs and cats at LB's Animal Control facility.
"[P]lease be advised that euthanasia proceedings are not subject to the Public Records Act, and are not open to the public," stated an April 21 letter signed by Deputy City Attorney Cristyl Meyers on behalf of City Attorney Bob Shannon.
In an April 9 request, LBReport.com separately sought "the opportunity to video record a euthanasia procedure carried out on a dog and a cat in the manner specified by management. We request the opportunity to video record the animal prior to the procedure, preparations for the procedure, the actual euthanasia and the animal's disposal. The video will be shown on LBReport.com unedited from start to finish. The video recording will be the undersigned using a hand held (inobtrusive) camera using ambient lighting and sound without any special accommodations requested."
On April 18, city management separately released data in response to LBReport.com's April 9 Public Records Act request, indicating the number of animals taken in, adopted/redeemed...and euthanized at LB's Animal Control facility in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
On April 19, LBReport.com published these data and salient portions of city management's transmittal letter accompanying its release.
Related LBReport.com coverage:
LB Animal Control Provides LBReport.com With Animal Intake, Euthanasia Data
Editorial: LB Animal Control...And The Public's Right To Know
LBReport.com Seeks Animal Control Euthanasia Data and Video Access To Procedure
LB Animal Control Director Moore Resigns; Retired Director Hatakeyama Returns Part-Time On Interim Basis; Permanent Replacement To Be Chosen In A Few Months; City Mgr. West Stresses Efforts To Identify Problems, Address Them & Rebuild Trust
