After a long and difficult process, the City of Rushville has concluded their investigation into alleged wrongdoing at the Rushville Animal Shelter.

Allegations were brought to light by assistant animal control officer Jamie Glandon, who said that she found a German Shepherd-Mastiff puppy alive in the freezer after apparently being euthanized four days earlier.

Glandon alleged that incidents like this had happened twice before and the city was notified. Both Glandon and Rushville Animal Control Officer Jack Hill were placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation.

According to the city’s press release:

“An investigation was commenced regarding the Rushville Animal Shelter, in part, because it was alleged that a German Shepherd-Mastiff mixed puppy lived four days in a freezer after it was euthanized. Two local veterinarians interviewed for this investigation found that it was highly unlikely that a dog could survive the Rushville Animal Shelter freezer in a barrel for four days ... .”

“Highly unlikely that the dog was found alive doesn’t mean impossible,” Glandon said. “And it obviously was possible because she’s still alive.”

Glandon said she handed over a list of contacts that the city could talk to who saw the dog first-hand, and also witnesses who saw a cold mist coming from the door of the freezer on warm days, implicating a possible leak.

The city’s release continues:

“Additionally, a local veterinarian, along with Mayor Bridges and Captain Mark Mathews, found the dead bodies of two German Shepherd-Mastiff mix puppies in the freezer. These were the only German Shepherd-Mastiff puppies that were believed to be euthanized during that time.

“It is unsubstantiated that Gabby is the dog that was euthanized. The Assistant Animal Control Warden, Jamie Glandon, refused to turn over Gabby to the City for further medical evaluation and has continued to refuse to turn over Gabby for investigation. According to the report from Captain Mark Mathews, he stated that he was unable to determine or locate any record of the animal in question even being at the shelter.”

Glandon stated that these finding are unfounded.

“Intake records from the county could quell this mystery,” Glandon said. “They could have also called the person who had come and picked the puppies up from his residence. Gabby was there.”

Responding to insubordination allegations, Glandon points to a letter she sent the City of Rushville and Captain Mark Mathews dated Dec. 4, 2007. According to a copy of that letter provided this newspaper:

“I’m sending you this letter in regards to Gabby, the German Shepherd/Mastiff mix. Because of the condition in which Gabby was found on 11/16/07 after attempted euthanasia, Gabby was placed into rescue and a foster home. Her foster mom has been made aware that the police department for the City of Rushville would like to have Gabby seen by a veterinarian. Gabby’s foster mom has already had extensive tests run at her personal expense by an independent veterinarian concerning Gabby’s condition, but is willing to have the tests run again.

“Gabby’s foster mom is concerned for Gabby’s safety and has asked that the following stipulations be met before consenting to additional tests: