The Kansas Department of Agriculture has imposed $5,750 in civil penalties against the Salina Animal Shelter after a July inspection resulted in 12 violations of state animal-care laws and regulations.

The Civil Penalty Order, signed Aug. 10 by Kansas Animal Health Commissioner Dr. Justin Smith, stems from a complaint inspection conducted July 17 at the city-operated shelter at 329 N. Second St. The order identifies the City of Salina's shelter as the respondent and states the penalties were issued under the Kansas Pet Animal Act.

According to the KDA inspection report included with the order, inspectors were at the shelter from approximately 9:38 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 17. The inspection was conducted with the shelter's lead animal control officer and the city's Parks and Recreation director. KDA classified the final result as "Unsatisfactory." At the time, inspectors recorded 49 dogs and 32 cats at the facility.

Animal Housing and Disease Control

Several violations involved how animals were housed and efforts to prevent the spread of disease.

Inspectors reported finding a kitten being treated for ringworm housed in a canvas or mesh playpen in an employee kitchen/breakroom. KDA determined the enclosure could not be efficiently cleaned and sanitized to reduce the risk of disease transmission and also found that it did not securely contain the kitten.

In the cat isolation room, inspectors found three kittens with ringworm housed next to an adult cat. According to the order, direct contact between the kittens and adult cat was observed through the cage doors. Two additional adult cats were also housed in the room but were not observed in direct contact with the kittens. KDA said shelter officials were advised to contact their veterinarian and establish an isolation protocol.

Inspectors also reported a mother dog and two puppies, estimated to be between eight and 12 weeks old, housed with other adult dogs. The mother was described by shelter staff as aggressive and was observed agitated and running over the puppies. KDA determined the mother and puppies were incompatible with the other adult dogs and should have been housed separately.

Staffing and Supervision

Four of the 12 violations cited in the penalty order involve a state regulation requiring sufficient staffing and supervision by individuals with appropriate knowledge, background and experience in animal husbandry and care.

Inspectors reviewed feeding records for a dog with runny stool and an emaciated dog. According to KDA, one feeding log was missing employee initials for three consecutive days. A scheduled weight check for the emaciated dog had also not been recorded by the time of the inspection. Inspectors reported that no employee was identified as the primary contact for staff when an animal's condition was declining and the lead animal control officer was absent.

KDA also raised concerns about training for employees working with animals with infectious diseases. The order states an employee handling and medicating kittens with ringworm did not appear to have training in caring for animals with a zoonotic and contagious disease and was not using personal protective equipment. According to the state, shelter officials were unable to identify an established protocol for employee training on PPE or handling animals with infectious and contagious diseases.

Another finding concerned a kitten that had died while in foster care. Inspectors saw a sign on the animal's former cage instructing employees not to clean it for 48 hours. KDA records state the kitten had received veterinary care but had not been diagnosed with feline infectious peritonitis, or FIP. The order says shelter personnel lacked the knowledge or experience to determine the animal's cause of death and that shelter procedures did not address how to limit disease transmission under those circumstances.

KDA also found that the Animal Services Operations Superintendent and Animal Services Manager — positions whose job descriptions included supervisory duties — were on leave at the time of the inspection. The state said there were no interim employees serving in those roles and classified the broader supervision finding as a repeat violation.

Cleaning and Facility Conditions

The state cited several other conditions observed during the inspection.

KDA reported hair and dirt accumulated on a large fan in the kennel area and grime and dirt on the lids of two food-storage bins. Bedding in the laundry room was being stored in plastic containers with open lids rather than sealed containers. Inspectors also found rust around the bottom post of a gate in an outdoor dog area, which KDA identified as a repeat violation.

Stray-Hold Violation

The final violation involved a stray cat brought to the shelter at approximately 7 p.m. June 1.

Records reviewed by KDA indicated the cat was taken off stray hold, spayed and vaccinated June 4. The state determined the required three full business days had not yet expired because the day an animal is acquired does not count toward the three-day period.

According to KDA, the cat would have become eligible for transfer of ownership and non-elective procedures on June 5.

$5,750 in Civil Penalties

KDA assessed penalties for each of the 12 violations.

Seven violations resulted in $500 penalties, four resulted in $250 penalties, and the violation involving the mother dog and puppies resulted in a $1,500 penalty. The total civil penalty is $5,750.

The failed inspection also resulted in a separate $200 reinspection fee. A notice included with the order states that a failed inspection subjects the facility to reinspection and warns that additional enforcement measures can include civil penalties, license action or other remedies authorized under state law.

The order was signed Aug. 10 and a certificate of service states it was mailed to the Salina Animal Shelter that same day.

The order does not necessarily represent the end of the administrative process. The shelter has the right to request a hearing, and KDA also provides an option to request an informal settlement conference. State documents say a settlement conference can provide a basis for modification or reduction of a penalty.

If no hearing is requested within the period specified by KDA, the order becomes final. The department states that findings and sanctions contained in a final order may also be considered in future enforcement actions.