4 to 1 decision made by the Board of Supervisors to use the old coroner's building as a pet shelter; at least temporarily.
" This is an emergency. I don't know how else to categorize this," Deborah Poochigian, Fresno Supervisor Chairman said.
With only 20 days left to come up with a plan to house the hundreds of unwanted dogs, the Board of Supervisors have finally come to a conclusion to use the county's old morgue as a shelter.
" We're going to make sure we'll have a facility that it is adequate, but it will be temporary housing," David Pomaville, Fresno County Health Official said.
In order to control the population of homeless animals they bring in, the temporary facility will not be taking in stray cats.
If it's an owner relinquished cat, they will accept it based on a fee.
" Vicious animals, biting animals, pack of animals in community, those are our priority," Pomaville said.
The county will be working side by side with the City of Fresno on tackling this huge problem.
" We're going to follow the county but it's important we stay together for this," Bruce Rudd said.
If approved by the Board of Supervisors and City Council, Liberty Animal Control Services will take over where the SPCA left off; which means picking up sick, dangerous, and dead animals.
A temporary shelter won't solve the problem.
"We have irresponsible people who own animals," said Susan Anderson, Fresno County Supervisor.
They believe educating the public about pet owner responsibility needs to be taken more seriously.
" They have the responsibility once they take on a pet, that pet belongs to them, and depends on them," Judith Case, Fresno Co. Supervisor said.
