Baytown Health Director Under Investigation (Again)

[mack7E]

The City of Baytown is investigating the City Health Director, Mike Lester, for removing euthanasia chemicals from the city animal shelter. The chemicals used to euthanize animals are highly regulated controlled substances and can only be dispensed by a licensed Veterinarian or a Certified Euthanasia Technician. Mike Lester is neither. Mike Lester removed 12 ccs of Fatal-plus Euthanasia solution from the Baytown Animal Shelter on March 9, 2010.

A complaint was filed with Human Resources at City Hall on March 12 by an Animal Service Officer when he became aware that the Health Director removed a syringe loaded with euthanasia solution from the animal shelter and did not respond to a request for an explanation of the missing chemicals . No record of this removal was reported to have been made at the time the chemicals were removed. There is indication that the records were amended later when questions began to be asked. On March 15 a complaint was filed with the Baytown Police Department regarding the missing controlled substances.

The city requires residents to bring animals to the shelter for euthanasia or to call animal services to pick animals up and take them to the shelter to be put to sleep.

It is hard to understand why an individual lacking proper legal credentials would remove these deadly chemicals from the facility. Where these chemicals were taken and what they were used for remains to be determined. Chemicals that are the property of the city by the way.

About a year ago the Health Director was the center of repeated front page stories because of his failure to maintain the credentials required for his position. Now here we are again.

Why is it that the upper level bureaucrats charged with enforcing rules and regulations commonly consider themselves exempt from the requirements everyone else has to follow? When is the city going to get a health director that follows rules as well enforces them?

[citizens4truth]

There was a post regarding this on hotpursuit.cc under Baytown Talk. I think heat was getting to the city and the moderator closed the posting. This happened after an individual started posing informatio nhe received on FOI requests. Hmmmmm, makes you think what's all getting hidden.