Commissioners' Statement on Infectious Disease Outbreak at Franklin County Dog Shelter

FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' STATEMENT ON THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAK AT THE DOG SHELTER

The Board of Commissioners is aware of the respiratory infection outbreak at the Franklin County Dog Shelter, and has been closely monitoring the situation. County Administration and newly appointed Shelter Director Don Winstel acted quickly to assemble a team of the community's best minds in both public health and veterinary medicine including consultants from The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical College, Capital Area Humane Society and Columbus Public Health. These experts are advising the Board and County administration on addressing the infectious disease outbreak, and have kept the media informed as we can confirm, without question, the facts of the situation.

Shelter staff, medical staff and this team of experts continue to work to address the outbreak. The Commissioners rely on their expertise and that of the Director of Animal Care and Control to make decisions concerning animal welfare, and have asked administrators to provide updates to the public on this situation.

Additionally, the Board, County Administration, and Director Winstel are launching, in consultation with these experts, a comprehensive review of existing infectious disease protocols to ensure that Franklin County is still in line with the nation's best practices.