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ANIMAL WATCH - Some of the most violent and predictable dog attacks in the history of Los Angeles Animal Services--primarily by Pit Bulls in overcrowded and inhumane conditions—and the most expensive settlements of lawsuits from attacks resulting from the City’s “No Kill” policy, have plagued the short and chaotic tenure of Staycee Dains as General Manager.
The result has been the return of former Acting GM Annette Ramirez, who had an integral part in development and/or implementing the current failed LA. Animal Services’ practices under which the Department is operating.
Amid reports of Dains “having a meltdown” at the shelter recently and adding to growing rumored complaints of racism, abuse of power and unprofessional conduct, Dains abruptly departed, and Annette Ramirez, currently Assistant GM, issued a soliloquy of her long involvement in management, which also carefully outlines and is an admission of her prominence in the deterioration to the current state of cruelty for animals, staff, volunteers and, too often, resulting in tragedy for adopters.
Thus, Mayor Karen Bass, freshly back from the 2024 Olympics in Europe and anticipating the worldwide broadcast of the international multi-sports competitions in L.A. in 2028, is undoubtedly interested in quieting the media attention drawn by overcrowded shelters, aggressive dog attacks and volunteers at war over necessary euthanasia.
WILL “BULLYGIRL151” CLEAN UP THE MESS?
A quick search of Google for “Annette Ramirez” immediately pulls up her social-media usernames: Annette Ramirez (@bullygirl151) / X -- ;AnnetteRamirez (bullygirl151) – Profile, and on Flicker - Annette Ramirez (bullygirl151) Pininterest
Based on Ramirez's prior record as Assistant GM to admitted dog breeder and former AKC political liaison GM Brenda Barnette, and her tenure as Interim GM after Barnette’s departure, it seems she has had ample opportunity to address critical issues. These include the lack of enforcement of spay/neuter ordinances and the proliferation of breeding, which has become one of the largest untaxed businesses in the City, leading to overcrowded shelters.
However, it was Barnette, with Ramirez’s assistance, who—alongside then-Councilman Paul Koretz—eliminated the strict three-dogs/three-cats-per-property ordinance. This change to traditional laws, which required lost and stray animals to be impounded for the safety of both the animals and the community, has had significant repercussions.
See LA Animal Services GM Barnette Less Than Truthful about the New “Finders Keepers Law
During this time, Ramirez and coworkers also developed the “SMART” team, which got wide publicity but little, if any, involvement in serious law-enforcement for the protection of animals and which raised legal issues; such as, setting up a non-profit organization using the same or a similar name as the City entity, and the abundance of four-letter words used by Leader Armando Navarette. It was criticized by the public for this reason. However, then-GM Barnette and Councilman Paul Koretz ignored the obvious concerns.
See: Why is GM Barnette Protecting LA's Animal Services SMART Leaders.
AFTER STAYCEE DAINS WAS GONE
A notification by Dana Brown, General Manager, Personnel Department, announced that Annette Ramirez would be the Acting GM during Staycee Dains’ absence, which many believe will be permanent.
Annette Ramirez then notified LAAS personnel:
"I am writing today to share updates about our Department's leadership. General Manager Staycee Dains is currently on leave and in her absence, I will be serving as Acting General Manager," Ramirez wrote in a letter to staff on Friday. "You should know that our Department will continue operating at full capacity and serving all of its general functions. I have spoken with supervisors and team leaders, and I feel confident that we will keep moving forward."
The following was sent out by Acting GM Ramirez, obviously intended to impress its recipients, but it also served to emphasize her complicity in ignoring conditions that have resulted in the recent tragedies at the shelters and her seeming emotional distance from, the current problems:
“Good morning, Team, Partners and Volunteers:”
“I first want to express my gratitude for everything each of you continues to do to serve this Department, this City, and of course the hundreds of animals in our care. You do not do this work because it is easy– you do it because you are passionate, caring, and driven by our mission to protect and care for the animals of Los Angeles.”
“I am writing today to share updates about our Department’s leadership. General Manager Staycee Dains is currently on leave and in her absence, I will be serving as Acting General Manager. You should know that our Department will continue operating at full capacity and serving all of its general functions. I have spoken with supervisors and team leaders and I feel confident that we will keep moving forward."
"I have had the privilege of serving this Department for the last 24 years. This includes three years as Assistant General Manager, and a previous period of a year and a half as Interim General Manager. I started my career as an Animal Care Technician before qualifying as an Animal Control Officer, and then worked my way into a managerial position. I am very familiar with the challenges faced by the Department on a daily basis. My educational background is in Animal Science, and I have had the opportunity to work in all six shelters in the City system. I have dedicated my life to serving animals in our community, and the residents of the City of Los Angeles. I have worked side by side with volunteers and New Hope partners, and I know the challenges faced by employees on a daily basis.”
“But I also know the successes that this Department is capable of and achieves every single day.”
“I look forward to working with each and every one of you as we continue to serve the City of Angels.”
Sincerely,
Annette
WHAT HAPPENED TO STACEE DAINS?
After what was reported as a very tumultuous period in which Dains had conflicts with employees and others, on August 13 an announcement was issued that Staycee Dains would be on leave until September 13. Within hours it was reissued with the correction that Dains would be out of the office until October 13, 2024. It also stated that “she will not be available during that time.” (Which employees—based upon past experience—interpreted to mean this is probably a permanent, involuntary separation.)
A notice was sent to the Mayor from Dana Brown, General Manager, Personnel Department, followed by a notification that Annette Ramirez would be the Acting GM during Staycee Dains’ absence, which many believe will be permanent.
"General Manager Staycee Dains is currently on leave and in her absence, I will be serving as Acting General Manager," Ramirez wrote in a letter to staff on Friday. "You should know that our Department will continue operating at full capacity and serving all of its general functions. I have spoken with supervisors and team leaders and I feel confident that we will keep moving forward."
IS THIS A STATEMENT OR JUST A “SHARE”?
We do not have a way to ask Staycee Dains what she would like to say about this very serious experience, and it is likely she had been advised to not speak to anyone about it. It appears no one has made any statement about her or for her.
However, three days ago she shared on Linked-In a statement by Andrea Morehead Allen, 7x Emmy-winning TV News Anchor / TV Executive Producer and I am providing it below because I think it is of great value.
“I have always been a private person, but I will forever be transparent about the single most horrific experience of my life.”
“There are long-term consequences when we choose to stay in Psychologically unsafe environments.“
“Choosing yourself is not selfish.”
“Collectively choosing to share our stories and advocating to pass the Workplace Psychological Safety Act are the only measures that will ever lessen the pain.”
“We must fight for civility and humanity”.
hashtag#MySilenceIsNotForSale
End Workplace Abuse
ALL SIDES MUST BE HEARD AND CONSIDERED
The discussion regarding the serious events at Los Angeles Animal Services will continue because we cannot forget or ignore the suffering of the animals and those who love them--employees, volunteers, and the public--whether involved in this complex and tragic situation which is taking time and energy that needs to be used on solving the problems at LAAS--or merely watching it unfold.
One thing I can say from personal experience is that we must feel compassion for all involved, because no one works in an animal-shelter atmosphere and remains the same.
The sadness and abuse that is seen lives with them day and night forever and right now the employees need our support in seeing that they are heard and positive changes—not just cover-ups and photo-ops—are the outcome.
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee, an animal activist and a contributor to CityWatch.)
