Members of Humane Society Back Leadership

CAMARILLO — Members of the Ventura County Humane Society overwhelmingly backed the nonprofit group’s present leadership Thursday, despite criticism that its policies encourage secrecy and that a handful of people dominate the organization.

At a tense, sometimes impassioned meeting, the membership voted 356 to 53 for a set of bylaws that eliminates their right to vote in the future. In addition, the bylaws enable the present 11-member board--appointed en masse to new three-year terms in December--to appoint its successors indefinitely.

Longtime board President Joyce George, who also doubles as the society’s paid humane educator, described the vote--in which many members voted by proxy--as one of support for the present administration.

“We feel like a lot of our membership likes what the Humane Society is doing,” she said. “It will allow us to be productive and allow us to work together. It will also allow us to heal.”

Some members and volunteers have complained in recent weeks that overzealous enforcement of animal cruelty laws, financial mismanagement and long-entrenched leadership have made animal programs ineffective.

Officials with the Ojai-based society defend their programs.

And in response to criticism of their finances, officials Thursday night provided portions of amended federal tax records they say more accurately reflect the group’s spending. For example, the amended report indicates that the society spent about $690,000 on animal programs last year compared to the approximately $80,000 listed on the initial report.

The charity has also been criticized for allegedly misusing its unusual state police powers to search homes, impound animals and enforce animal cruelty laws with little oversight from county authorities.

Indeed, some county supervisors said earlier this week that they would look into the group’s wide-ranging powers.

Board Chairman John K. Flynn said Thursday that he looked into the matter and considers any problems with the society an internal affair that does not concern the county.

Humane Society officials have characterized the criticism as coming from militant animal rights supporters who plot a hostile takeover.

But discussion at Thursday’s meeting, attended by about 70 people at the county’s Department of Animal Regulation offices, was largely confined to the proposed changes in the society’s structure.

Proponents said the bylaw changes, not prompted by the recent criticism, would bring the group into compliance with state and federal laws governing nonprofit organizations. Opponents countered that the move was anti-democratic and would further reduce members’ influence on an organization they say is steeped in secrecy and hostile toward their ideas.

“We are members of the Humane Society; we cannot take over what we already have,” Ojai attorney Leonard Klaif said. “We are neither hostile nor are we interested in a takeover. But we are interested in having a meaningful voice. . . . Why give up the checks and balances of the vote?

Member Marie Donnel said the decision was simple: She trusts the Humane Society’s leadership.

“We elect a board to represent us and the board is our voice,” she said, while acknowledging her vote Thursday stripped her of the right to cast any ballots again. “I have confidence they will do the right thing.”

Nevertheless, Dale Hanson, one of the minority of members who fought the loss of voting rights, said she plans to continue pressing for improvements in the group’s operation.

Hanson, a community activist who is also treasurer of the Ojai Valley Red Cross, said she and others in the Humane Society had expected to lose the vote.

“At least we’ve raised the issue and if nothing else, that’s good,” she said. “We’re not going to go away. We’re not going to stop until there have been some changes. I think this is a time for change and growth, and I think the people at the Humane Society know that too.”