Random Access

Muse,

You're right, they record every detail of owner visits. They did the same thing with Munchie and then used comments the naive owner made against her in court.

I passed along a warning about this practice a few weeks ago, after the motion passed at City Council.

Gab must remember she is going into enemy territory to visit her hostage (and innocent) family member and act accordingly.

Hey John,

You wrote:

"Rambo remembered, in case there was any doubt.
Gabriela Nowakowska's dog — breed to be determined by a court later this month — was very, very excited to see her again when she visited him at Mississauga Animal Control again Tuesday."

Someone needs to give Gabriela the heads up on the Mississauga Animal Control which I've scanned and will cut-and-paste here.

Specifically dog owners need to be aware of this portion of the Corporate Procedure.

"Staff must refrain from personal comments as these cases are before the courts and anything that you say may jeopardize the existing case or result in you being subpoenaed to testify."

Needless to say, Gabriela better be very careful what SHE says too.

especially when you know...

"The Officer is to be aware of the visit at all times and must complete notes on their observations following the visitation. The Shelter Officer must then attach their notes to the animals [sic] file."

Even knowing this might not "save" a dog owner. At the very least, an audio recording should be made of the entire visit, from car ignition turned off to car ignition fired up again.

People are 100% vulnerable when they play the Mississauga Corporate Game of "I said. They said." They'll LOSE every time. Every. Single. Time.

Here, a loss will potentially mean a dog's life.

Here it is in its entirety.

"DRAFT Owner Visitation Procedures MISSISSAUGA ANIMAL SERVICES" and am posting it right here.

"Owner Visitation Procedures MISSISSAUGA ANIMAL SERVICES

Visitation of DOLA animals has been implemented as of April 15, 2008. The following procedures are to be followed. There will be no visitation of animals that have been quarantined. Visitation may be denied or Corporate Security required to attend where staff believe a confrontation is possible or visitor is know [sic] to police.

Visitation is to be prearranged by the owner with the shelter supervisor. The shelter supervisor will offer time segments of one half hour per visit. Visits will be twice a month, and time may be divided if one or more persons from the family wish to see the animal. Only one person will be allowed to visit with the animal at any given time.

There will be no media permitted to any visits, and if the owner wishes to take personal photos, permission must be sought prior to proceeding.

Once the day and time have been established and the owner has arrived at the shelter they must first read and complete a Release Waiver and Indemnity form along with the Visitation of Long Term Retention Dogs form. The Shelter Officer must check that all information is correct and confirm identity with a valid drivers [sic] licence on these forms and initial, Provide the owner with a signed copy.

The visitor must sign in on the animals' personal sign in sheet. Ensure that the visitor correctly completes the sign in and the sign out when finished.

The DOLA room shall be prepared for a comfortable visit by ensuring that all dogs not being visited are placed in the outside runs. A chair is to be placed in the room along with treats that the shelter provides. Owners are not permitted to bring in any foreign food or treats for their animal to eliminate any diet issues, If the weather does not permit the other dogs staying outside for one half hour, then attemate rooms may be chosen by shelter staff to accommodate the visit.

All visitors must be escorted to and from the DOLA room, and must be supervised during the visit. The Shelter Officer is not to leave the visitation area or leave the visitor alone in the room. The Officer is to be aware of the visit at all times and must complete notes on their observations following the visitation. The Shelter Officer must then attach their notes to the animals [sic] file.

The Shelter Officer supervising the visit is not to interfere with the visit. Correction to the animals' behaviour is only acceptable if personal safety becomes an issue. Staff must refrain from personal comments as these cases are before the courts and anything that you say may jeopardize the existing case or result in you being subpoenaed to testify.

Shelter staff confronted by a visitor in the lobby, or on their way to the visitation room, are to direct any questions to the Shelter Supervisor.

Dogs are to be closely monitored in between visitations and any changes to behaviour or health must be noted in the animals file."

And make sure you use fresh batteries in your audio recorder!

Hello John....so good to see you back on the prowl again.....

I was googling last week and came across a 2007 article about the Old City Hall on Dundas Street, which I believe was said to be under renovation or perhaps at the mercy of the wrecking ball. You quoted comments from my Dad, former Mayor Ron Searle. You made reference to his health being failing. Actually, Dad is in fine shape approaching his 89th Birthday on July 19th. While he endures the difficulties one might associate with being an almost 89 year old man who has lost the love of his life, his dear wife Mollie, he presses on. Ron still lives in his home of 55 years and his car in the driveway has been replaced by a a shiny scooter. He is also a bit hobbled by souvenirs gained in WW II including but not limited to several bullets to his right leg, which have slowed him down tremendously. To this day, he helps those of his constituents who remember him fondly as a terrific councillor and Mayor.

Keep up the splendid work John with the assurance that one of the GREAT ones is still alive and very much kicking albeit with his left leg.

Regards,

Mark Searle