It’s a bit dicey for me to question a grand jury’s deliberation, given that no one other than the grand jurors are supposed to know what goes on when the doors are closed.
However, I’m wondering about that Randall County no-bill decision regarding the Amarillo Animal Control Department’s euthanizing of unwanted pets.
The grand jury decided against filing criminal charges against anyone involved in what’s become something of a scandal at the animal shelter.
Animals were being put down in violation of state law. They were given the lethal drugs while failing to be weighed so officials at the shelter would know much of the drug to administer. There were reports of animals suffering greatly during the euthanasia process.
The top two animal control officers, director Mike McGee and assistant director Shannon Barlow both “retired” recently from the city — which, of course, is laughable on its face. They’d been placed on administrative leave when the animal control troubles became known. They should have been fired.
District Attorney James Farren, whose office presented evidence to the grand jury, expressed surprise at the no-bill. He’s not alone in the surprise. The grand jury said it found no animal cruelty at the shelter? I don’t get that one.
If animals weren’t suffering needlessly, then why did the grand jury ever get this case in the first place?
It’s one thing to accept — even grudgingly — a grand jury’s decision. It’s quite another to believe in it.
I agree. I would even offer the term ” travesty”. There was video evidence and first hand accounts and testimony. It is not the feedlots that we are smelling.