Backlash Over Firing Of Animal Control Director
CHICAGO (CBS)--The firing of the director of Chicago's Animal Care and Control is being protested by a growing number of supporters of former executive director Susan Russell, who was let go from her six-figure job on Sunday.
The city hasn't provided much detail on why Russell was fired, but sources have told CBS 2 that so-called "dangerous dogs," or dogs with behavioral issues that put them past the point of rehabilitation, were being adopted out of city shelters.
Russell's firing has caused an uproar, however, among supporters who claim she was unfairly targeted by the city.
More than a dozen city officials have agreed to participate in a protest Tuesday evening. Many of them were still coming to terms Monday night with what they call the mayor's big blunder.
Alderman Scott Waguespack said Mayor Emanuel's firing of Russell was unjust.
"We hired Susan Russell, and I think she's been excellent," Waguespack said. "She's probably been the best director I've seen in the over-10-years I've been alderman."
Other supporters from Chicago's tight-knit animal-loving community voiced similar concerns, including Heather Owen from "One Tail at a Time."
"We've never had a director like Susan that not only cares, is passionate, and has a vision—but is also effective," Owen said.
Owen and other critics of the city's firing of Russell say euthanasia rates are at an all-time low, so many questions are left unanswered.
"It's important to have an animal care and control that is run appropriately and humanely and in a way that meets all of our standards," Emanuel said Monday.
Alderman Ray Lopez agreed with the mayor, saying the shelter reached capacity too many times, and that overcrowding caused safety issues.
"She's the head of a city department that had to answer for unusually high intake calls for service that we're not being addressed, and overtime was not being used properly," Lopez said.
Acting director Kelly Gandurski comes to the organization from the Chicago Department of Law. The city says she has experience as an animal shelter volunteer.