Mold-Help.org - The world's largest TOXIC MOLD website
  • Mold Basics
    • Mold Overview
    • Mold Symptoms
    • Mold Types & Images
    • Fungal Infections
  • Resources and Tools
    • Home Care
    • Health & Diet
    • Tips for Parents
    • Coping with Loss
    • Private Research
    • Legal Suggestions
    • Mold in the Bible
  • Mold News
    • Current Headlines
    • “Sick Buildings”
    • The Environment
    • Construction Industry
    • Govt. & Politics
    • The Workplace
    • Landlords & Tenants
    • Insurance Companies
    • Schools & Institutions
    • Strange Fungal Tales
    • Personal Mold Stories
    • Additional Articles
  • Agencies & Experts
  • About Mold-Help
    • Mold-Help News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Mold Jeopardizes County’s Animal Shelter Contract

August 30, 2001/in Govt. & Politics /by Carolyn Willbanks

LAS VEGAS SUN – Clark County attorneys are exploring how a mold infestation at the county’s animal control offices at Dewey Animal Care Center will affect its $1.1 million-a-year contract with the privately run animal shelter. The contract has provisions that allow nearly 20 county animal control officers and dispatchers to work out of an office at the facility off Decatur Boulevard. But after workers complained of illnesses and mold was found in the office walls, employees were moved out of the building in May and do not plan to return. “We’re not moving back and reoccupying that space,” said Shannon West, the county’s assistant parks director who oversees animal control. “Our employees are extremely concerned about their health.” County commissioners rejected Dewey’s request for a contract extension last year and the agreement expires in 2005, according to Jim Spinello, assistant administrative director.

The county is uncertain whether the contract will be affected by animal control officers moving out. “It’s something we’re reviewing right now,” Spinello said. “It’s in the hands of the DA to see how one piece fits into the others.” Mary-Anne Miller, the commission’s attorney, did not immediately return a phone message. Though Dr. Joseph Freer, president of the animal shelter, said no mold has been found in areas where animals are kept, the discovery comes at a critical point for the shelter as county officials are examining other shelter options.

In March 2001 — four years before his current contract was set to expire — Freer attempted to persuade commissioners to grant him a five-year extension. Freer argued that he needed a longer term financial commitment from the county before he renovated the shelter, which Dewey has operated since 1985. He offered to build a $10 million state-of-the-art facility. Commissioners, who reviewed county reports about cats being stacked in cages in the arrival areas for more than 24 hours and wet and cold kennels, rejected Freer’s request. Joe Boteilho, manager of Clark County’s animal control division, declined to discuss the conditions at Dewey other than to say they are “static, no improvements have been made.” An animal advisory committee assembled by the commission is exploring options other than Dewey. The most promising proposal is a regional animal care “campus” adjacent to Lied Animal Shelter on Mojave Road and Bonanza Avenue.

The Las Vegas City Council gave staff members permission to begin working with the county on the proposal. “We’ve been tasked to take a look at what our other options are, and talk in clear terms so the board can make an educated decision on what to do,” Boteilho said. Freer balked at the proposal, arguing that the government would spend about $12 million on the complex when Dewey can provide the same services with no added cost, only a contract extension. “Why would they want to spend $12 million when they have private industry that can redo the kennel at the existing site,” Freer said. “The owner of the building would take out old kennels and put in new kennel facilities and it’s a matter of zero dollars.” Freer said most of the $1.1 million it receives from the county annually goes toward salaries and rent.

This year money was also spent on air-conditioning and heating in the kennels, reconstructed rooftops and painting the facility. The mold, Freer said, is simply what happens to older buildings in the Las Vegas Valley. “There is not an old building in this community that doesn’t have mold,” he said. “Go look in your bathroom, look behind your sink, you’ll find mold.” The county’s advisory committee is expected to make a presentation to commissioners regarding their options next month.

Carolyn Willbanks
Author: Carolyn Willbanks

Tags: mold, toxic mold, mold infestation, sick animals from mold, mold infestation in Las Vegas animal shelf
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png 0 0 Carolyn Willbanks https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png Carolyn Willbanks2001-08-30 00:00:002019-02-18 01:19:39Mold Jeopardizes County’s Animal Shelter Contract
You might also like
Group of garlic cloves©:thecandidadiet.com Garlic Inhibits Fungal Growth and Protects Food
Mold-Help logo Mold Truth Often Becomes Distorted Myths
Mold-Help logo Mold Discovery Forces School To Close Doors
Mold-Help logo New Survey Reveals Grave Statistics on Fungal Exposure
Mold-Help logo GSU Clears the Air, University Working to Resolve Toxic Mold Problem.
Mold-Help logo Mold Found in Canton School

Mold News

  • Current Headlines
  • "Sick Buildings"
  • The Environment
  • Construction Industry
  • Govt. & Politics
  • The Workplace
  • Landlords & Tenants
  • Insurance Companies
  • Schools & Institutions
  • Personal Mold Stories
  • Strange Fungal Tales
  • Additional Articles

Latest Posts

  • Michigan Family Finds Toxic Mold Inside Home
  • California Winter Storms: Water Damage and Mold Exposure Concerns in California
  • Office and Commercial Buildings at Risk for Mold after COVID-19 Closings
  • COVID-19 Symptoms May Include Loss of Taste and Smell
  • New Mold Detox Information on the Horizon
  • COVID-19 Courses of Action
  • Stachybotrys
  • Simple and Easy Ways to Prevent the Coronavirus
  • Your Air Conditioning Unit Helps Eliminate Mold
  • Construction Workers Are Learning to Control Dust and Debris

Search Our Site:

Need Help with Mold?

Are you being affected by mold or other mycotoxins in your environment? Our team and community has over 15 years experience and can provide guidance. You can reach us by submitting your contact or through our Facebook page.

Have a Story to Share?

We're looking for stories and input to expand our database and to add to the personal experiences we've received from the thousands of victims over the last 15. If mold has impacted your life, please take the time to share your story. Your information is confidential and will only be shared with your permission.

Seeking Mold Experts

Are you an expert in the treatment of mold-affected health illnesses, or a provider of services to victims of mycotoxin exposure? Submit your information for listing consideration in our Agencies & Experts resource database.

Additional Resources

  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Survivor Resources
  • General Inquiries
  • Legal Disclaimer

© Copyright - Mold-Help Organization
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Mold Basics
  • Resources and Tools
  • Agencies & Experts
  • Mold News
  • About Mold-Help
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only