#39 - September 28th, 2005

In The Valley Living section of this paper last week I read with great interest about the actions of a Mendocino County Animal Care and Control Officer by the name of George Hodgson. I recognized the name immediately as it is one which sparks fear and loathing into the heart and mind of this particular dog owner, and may be quite a few others too. On this occasion he followed the law to the letter, apparently, and euthanized a dog, Buddy, within an hour of the dog's arrival, even though Cheryl Schrader of The Anderson Valley Animal Rescue was in attendance and pleading with him to contact the original owners to ask permission to buy the dog from them. She believed strongly that a caring owner would be found. He refused, saying there was a law which stated that if his department is paid to put down a dog they are obliged to do so. There is no such actual law but the Animal Care and Control Department clearly have their own policy. Result - the dog's life was ended anyway.
Cheryl contacted his superiors and asked that he be reprimanded. Perhaps not surprisingly they defended his actions but they did agree that it was not a good policy when a new home could be found and all it would have taken in this case was a phone call to the owners. That would be too much to expect with Hodgson in charge. When asked, he refused to show Cheryl evidence of this law because, as it turned out, he couldn't. He is what may be referred to as a "jobsworth" - i.e. when required to show some initiative or to make a reasoned decision which may not be the "normal" way of doing things, he acts as if this straying from the norm would be more than his " job's worth". Aren't "jobsworths" annoying ? In this case, disturbingly so…..
Now you may be thinking that these comments based somewhat on hearsay are not appropriate in this esteemed organ. On that you may possibly be correct. You may also believe that this is personal. On this you'd be exactly right ! This is a man who caused me and my loved ones great personal grief and I wish him much ill-fortune - like elephants, we Turkey Vultures do not forget….. However, not only have I personally been on the receiving end of one of Hodgson's illogical, cruel, and quite unnecessary rulings when dealing with my own dog, but I should emphasize that I am also aware of other instances where the actions and unreasonable decisions made by both Hodgson and the Mendocino Animal Care and Control regarding the care of cats and dogs have shown a complete lack of compassion and led to undue grief and stress for both the animals and their owners.....
When Hodgson's name is mentioned at a certain veterinary hospital in Ukiah I have witnessed raised eyebrows and heard disturbing stories about his actions in the past. I believe the episode involving Buddy was just another unfortunate incident featuring this "wannabe cop" who apparently failed in his attempts to achieve that particular position. In my dealings with him, his demeanor, actions, and skills with both dogs and people, were deplorable for a public official in his line of work. I honestly do believe he dislikes dogs.
What is being done by the County with regard to any form of investigation into the needless death of Buddy ? …What about the the incident regarding the euthanizing of most of the animals transferred from Fort Bragg shelter to the Ukiah center which was reported in an article in the Ukiah Journal in early September? Hodgson was involved in this transfer and was responsible for the animals' "well-being" in Ukiah. What is being done regarding any investigations into that awful sequence of events?
Now, in the past few hours, the latest rumor/news I have received is that Hodgson may be in line for the Manager's job for the Animal Care and Control Center at the Ukiah Shelter. Is this the kind of man we want in this line of work, never mind this important position ? You can register your comments about this situation or any other regarding the actions of George Hodgson by contacting the County's Chief Executive Officer, John Ball, either by e-mail at < coadminIn@co.mendocino.ca.us > or by phone at 707- 463-4441 or your own County supervisor, whoever that may be. Please do not hesitate if you have a comment about the episodes above or something to add which may help prevent Mr. Hodgson from continuing, and possibly expanding, his "reign"…..
In my experience Hodgson has the moral conscience of a coyote when it comes to dealing with domestic animals and perhaps others have similar tales to tell. I suspect there may be quite a few of you out there and if anyone wishes to do so they can also contact me at < turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net > and I will forward all your comments through the necessary channels and hopefully get something done about this unsatisfactory state of affairs…Meanwhile, who is Hodgson accountable to ? Have they received complaints about him before ? Do they think he does a good job ? I think we should be told…Until that happens, George, if I was you I'd look out and listen up, people are watching and talking…..
If Hodgson, or anyone else for that matter, wishes to know who my full name as a result of reading the above comments feel free to get in touch via the e-mail address and I will gladly put your mind at rest if it makes you feel any better …..
And with that I bid you a fond farewell for another week…My ramblings have clearly been a little different this time but I believe the topic deserves such attention, even from a carrion-muncher like myself…Please do take a few moments to contact one of the above with your concerns -it's a phone call or brief message and it might mean so much to so many animals…Now I must depart, but before I go you know what we have to do, don't you ?…That's right, "Let us prey"…
....Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture.....
....Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture.....