Video: Animal advocates criticize plan to end shelter services

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SEATTLE - When it comes to animals, emotions run high. At a demonstration in Seattle on Monday, animal advocates criticized King County Executive Ron Sims for what they call mismanagement of county animal shelters.

Two sides clashed when some shelter workers arrive with their own views and were asked to leave the demonstration.

At issue are conditions inside the shelters, which critics call deplorable. A task force on animal services said the shelters are over crowded, with too many animals and not enough space, too few animal care workers and not enough space to isolate and care for sick animals.

"The animals are poorly cared for, not appropriate medical care, food, water and social care," said animal advocate Claire Davis.

Now comes a proposal from three council members that the county get out of the shelter business and turn it over to private nonprofits.

But what about dangerous animals? Remember the grandmother who was mauled in SeaTac last month? King County Animal Control officers killed the dogs. Would other law enforcement  be able to handle the job?

And what about the costs? Critics of privatization say taxpayers might pay less, but pet owners could pay more.

"If you go to privatization, your costs will increase cause its not supported by a tax base," said Animal Control Manager Wendy Keller.

While there have been improvements at the shelters, some changes are needed for 1,000 sick and dangerous animals, according to Sims.

"Our issue is where do you take those 1,000 animals. It's clear that nonprofit agencies cannot absorb 1,000 animals," said Sims.

Sims' budget will come out in a week. It's unclear how and when services for animals will be addressed in the coming year.