Changes coming to Campbell dog pound in wake of deaths

Two of the dogs which allegedly were at the Campbell dog pound on June 2.

Photo provided

Investigations by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office continue into allegedly inhumane conditions at the Campbell dog pound.

Additionally, Harry Hatton, who ran the Campbell pound, was terminated in a special meeting of the Campbell city council held Tuesday, according to a Facebook post made by the city.

The story began to unfold June 2, when a woman contacted dog advocate Donna Gause to report inhumane conditions at the Campbell dog pound, at which time Gause also reached out to fellow dog advocate Julie Christofferson.

“I was absolutely horrified and heartbroken and angry,” Gause said. “I couldn’t believe the condition these babies were in.”

There were six dogs at the pound, all reportedly in poor health because of neglect.

“All six dogs were just ungodly emaciated,” Christofferson said. “I mean it was horrible. It was very, very, very difficult to look at. (The woman who called Gause) saw no visible food and no visible water — and obviously it’s not air conditioned. So she was really concerned about the dogs.”

By the time the pound reopened on Monday morning, only three of the dogs were still alive.

Campbell Mayor Randall Baker said the three surviving dogs were taken to a veterinarian in Poplar Bluff and are now in the care of dog rescuers in St. Louis. He added animal rescue groups from the St. Louis area are also offering resources to improve conditions at the Campbell dog pound.

Baker said the city was cited for inadequate air conditioning at the pound, plus rusted fencing, full fly catchers and a sharp edge on an opening between the shelter and the exercise area.

“We’re going to make some major improvements out there,” Baker said, then added planned improvements include putting a new roof over the pound to keep the shelter cool and putting up a screen to keep flies out.

Baker’s response to the situation gives Christofferson hope going forward. She is also speaking at Monday’s Campbell city council meeting via remote.

“The mayor absolutely is showing interest in making improvements,” Christofferson said. “He’s owning what happened. He’s not denying it. He is absolutely open to us.”

Christofferson and Baker will be part of a special meeting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at the Campbell Civic Center, to discuss how to better serve the animals at the Campbell shelter.

“We already have plans in motion to potentially install air conditioning, replace broken kennel runs and gates, improve the outside area so there is shade as the facility sits directly in the sun,” Christofferson said in a Facebook post about the July 1 meeting. “We have people donating cots, bedding, toys, food (and) supplies. We have many residents in the Campbell area wanting to volunteer to come and help at the shelter.”

Christofferson said the July 1 meeting was Baker’s idea.

“I’ve got so many people reaching out to me saying what can we do? How can we help?” Christofferson said. “I’ve got contractors saying we’ll put air conditioning in. I’ve got people donating cots and beds and food and ... it’s overwhelming. It’s been really, really overwhelming but it’s been extremely humbling too to know that people actually do want to help.”

Gause said she is “praying” for change, but also is concerned the situation could regress once the attention dies down.

“This is definitely something the locals of Campbell need to stay on top of,” Gause said. “They need people to volunteer. People to go in and help clean, walk and love on the dogs to keep them social, but can also keep their eyes open to the animals’ conditions. Animal-loving Campbell residents definitely need to stay vigilant.”