By Bennett Haeberle WDRB-TV Fox 41 News
Metro Animal Services' facility on Manslick Road has been without heat since the August 4th flood. That was until last week, when three new furnaces were installed after volunteers complained.
"We didn't realize it until probably three weeks ago, because we didn't need to turn the heat on," said Jackie Gulbe, a spokeswoman for MAS.
During that nearly three-month period, temperatures have dropped into the mid-30s five times.
Metro Council members learned of the issue last month after volunteers complained about the lack of heat for the animals.
A Fox 41 News reporter asked to speak to Dr. Meloche about the department's disaster plan. Gulbe initially said Meloche was not there, but after the reporter told her he just saw Meloche enter his trailer, she sought him out.
She returned moments later to say the department's disaster plan was "progressing."
Meloche tendered his resignation last week amid a cloud of scrutiny. His resignation will take effect Dec. 31. The allegations include mismanagement, sexual harassment and mistreatment of animals.
Earlier this year, a Fox 41 News investigation uncovered instances where receipts appeared to have been altered and animals could not be accounted for. A recent city auditor's report found "inadequate controls" between MAS and a satellite adoption center, the Animal Adoption Agency in Middletown.
Meloche declined to be interviewed Monday and hasn't agreed to an interview request since announcing his resignation. Metro Councilman Ken Fleming chided him during a hearing in September in response to his department not having a disaster plan, saying: "You've been on this job for a long time. It should have been done. Flat out, it should have been done. It's not being done."
Following the flood, 900 animals had to be euthanized and several animals drowned.
At the time, Meloche told the panel: "A disaster is a disaster, and we should have a plan by the end of this year."
Meanwhile, the attorney for former animal care manager Dawn Simpson appeared in Jefferson Circuit Court Monday. Simpson is suing the city and Meloche, claiming he sexually harassed her and tried to discourage her from filing a complaint.
"I think a lot of people in Louisville agree the actions of Dr. Meloche do not indicate professionalism in his department or any other company," said Mikell Grafton-Skinner, Simpson's attorney.
The heat isn't the only issue concerning animal care. Another dog with behavioral problems had to be put down recently after it ate through its stitches and its intestines fell out. Gulbe says that was a rare occurence.
Metro Animal Services is still conducting on internal review over records that might have been intentionally lost, concealed, or destroyed.
