Video: King County animal shelters under fire

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SEATTLE – For the second time in six months, a disturbing report about King County's two animal shelters has surfaced.

The shelters are under fire for keeping animals in filthy conditions.

The King County Council hired an outside consultant to investigate the animal shelters and what he found had council members shocked and saddened.

At the King County Animal Shelter in Kent Monday, the cages were spotless. The dogs had gone on walks and there was plenty of food and water for the animals.

It's a far cry from what the consultant claims he found a month ago when he visited the county's two animal shelters.

"The consultant found the animals are not receiving the basic humane care," said Julia Patterson, King County Council chair.

Pictures show empty bowls, dirty cages, and a floor smeared with feces.

The consultant says some of the animals didn't receive food or water for up to four days.

"It was very sad to think that those animals that are completely dependent upon us for their care, for their comfort and for their very lives were subjected to those conditions," said Patterson.

The findings come after another troubling report from a citizen's advisory committee last fall that found dogs and cats were getting sick and being euthanized because of poor sanitation and a lack of vaccinations.

Because of that report, the shelters made significant changes, including fixing broken cages and deep-cleaning them daily.

"We have detailed checklists that every officer does everyday for their assignments and we have spot-cleaning checklists," said Al Dams, King County Animal Services.

"The accusation that animals were not fed for up to four days is not true," he said.

Council president Julia Patterson says nine months ago they asked King County Executive Ron Sims to come up with a plan to improve the shelters. Now, after these two recent reports, the pressure is really on. Otherwise, council members say, they're considering the idea of closing the shelters and letting a private contractor take care of the animals instead.

The county council is encouraging the public to voice their concerns at a public town hall meeting on April 14 at the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien.