Another protest in Wantagh

Nearly 100 protesters gathered for a rally that began at 12 p.m. on earlier this month on the front steps of Hempstead’s Town Hall, on Washington Street in Hempstead. The rally was organized by the Hope for Hempstead Shelter, a local shelter-reform advocacy group, to bring awareness to the public of Hempstead Animal Shelter conditions, as well as to Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray’s recent walk-out during a Town Board meeting in April.

According to the Hope for Hempstead Shelter, Murray exited the meeting abruptly, as the final speaker was describing the disturbing conditions at the controversial animal shelter from an eyewitness. Bob Sowers, a detective with the Nassau County Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals, testified at the town’s April 9 meeting that Murray had falsely publicized that an undercover investigation had taken place, determining conditions in the shelter were fine.

In the past six months, the shelter has been a focus of local animal advocates and concerned citizens alike, who have been calling on town officials to help to investigate the Town of Hempstead’s Animal Shelter’s, and reform its leadership, spending and animal-care methods. Additionally, animal advocates have protested recent actions by the town to prevent volunteers from entering the shelter and direct phone calls to the shelter.

At a Hempstead Town Board meeting in March, the town announced that the shelter has stopped taking calls inquiring about animals, due to the calls being distracting to shelter workers. The shelter now requires animal inquiries to be sent via email or regular mail. The town also issued a statement in March, claiming that the new call inquiry policy would streamline the process of providing medical information and individual pet history to interested parties.

For information about the protesting group, visit www.hopeforhempsteadshelter.com.