Clean up or cover up?

FERRIS – Local citizens were outraged and angered over canned dog food, new collars, leashes and pet toys recently discarded by city employees.

Public Works employees were seen after-hours cleaning up the animal shelter.

“Are they being paid overtime to destroy the shelter?” one resident wondered aloud.

“I helped raise money for donations for the shelter, and they just threw it all away,” said Tina Miller, owner of Country Corner Treasurers and PLC Doggie Day Spa, a dog grooming business.

She said Ferris Mayor Jim Swafford told her they were, “expired.”

“How can dog collars and leashes expire?” questioned Miller.

Swafford did confirm a citizen posted an animal shelter complaint on Face-book. He did not specify on what Facebook page the complaint was posted.

“I brought the complaint to the attention of the city staff whom were already aware of the complaint,” said Swafford.

“I discussed with staff some of the issues involved with the complaint,” said Swafford.

“I was assured from staff that staff was working hard to make the animal shelter as safe and clean a place for animals as possible.”

What resulted were more reports – Jordan and Swafford, neither one addressed these reports when asked – about new and possibly donated toys, food and other pet items being seen thrown in the trash.

Previously, Jordan had said bags of donated dry dog food (enough to fill a dumpster) was being discarded because “The rats had gotten into it.”

There was no other explanation of why these new items were being discarded without being used

About two years ago there was a message on the Ferris Animal Shelter Facebook page stating the city’s animal control officer was “absolutely amazing” and she had a wonderful team of people to help make it possible.

This is not the case anymore.

In fact, the Ferris Animal Shelter was now better defined as a hidden and dirty little secret – literally.

Perhaps it all began when the animal control officer referenced above left or was let go after there were unexplained issues with other city staff, according to residents.

Since that time there have been a few complaints about the animal shelter, but no one has been able to be able to get in to see what is going on inside the halls of the shelter itself.

In fact, by one account it is locked up tighter than the basement of the Vatican.

Recently, within the last few weeks, there has been word the Ferris Animal Shelter might have some problems inside and now a few residents are being vocal about what is going on.

There was a report a lady who had lost her dog was not allowed to go to the shelter to pick up her missing pet, but instead she had to pick the animal up at City Hall. The dog was retrieved and became very ill, she thought was because of the condition inside the animal shelter.

Ferris City Manager Bill Jordan did not return calls regarding this matter or to confirm or deny the story of the sick dog.

There was a memo sent out by city staff in the matter, but The Ellis County Press was not able to get a copy of the memo by press time.