WHAG News
Date: January 31, 2014
WHAG News reported on a lawsuit alleging animal abuse and retaliation at the Humane Society of Washington County, MD. TELG represented the plaintiff of the case.
[TRANSCRIPT]
WHAG Reports On Lawsuit Alleging Animal Abuse at Humane Society of Washington County, MD
(Transcribed by The Employment Law Group)
WHAG Anchor: Washington County, a former employee is taking civil action against the Humane Society of Washington County. She filed many allegations at circuit court after she says she was fired for making efforts to expose animal mistreatment at the facility.
WHAG’s Bejoy Joseph has more on the lawsuit.
Bejoy Joseph (Reporter): This 20-plus page civil complaint filed by Amanda Surber says she was fired from the Humane Society of Washington County in September after she refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement. In the paperwork she filed in December, she makes 86 separate allegations from not receiving proper pay to how animals were mistreated at the Humane Society. Community members are shocked by the allegations.
Lauren Kahoffer: I know the Humane Society is overloaded with a lot of strays and just animals, I guess. I know it must be hard to keep up, but I think that it is important to treat animals with kindness regardless of the situation.
Damian DeFelice: If they have documented evidence, then they might have a case. They have something there. And for me, I’m against the mistreatment of animals, so if they have something, then they should go after it.
Joseph: The document claims the company did not pay overtime. The supervisor made inappropriate remarks to employees, and he engaged in dangerous practices that injured or killed several animals at the facility. The paperwork details instances when sick animals were housed with healthy ones, spreading diseases.
Kahoffer: I’d hate to think that that would be true, the allegations would hold any truth. I do think it’s outrageous to treat animals in such a cruel manner, and I hope that any type of situations or wrongdoings would be amended.
Joseph: The board president of the Humane Society released a statement, saying in part, “We strongly deny the allegations in the lawsuit and will defend ourselves at the appropriate time in court. As always, we remain focused on our mission of improving the quality of life for all animals.”
Reporting in Hagerstown, Bejoy Joseph, WHAG News.
WHAG Anchor: Again, that was Bejoy Joseph reporting. If you would like to read all of the claims, you can see the documents on our website, your4state.com.
