The gang that couldn’t kill straight –
MCAS management has only one singular efficiency: Expedited killing and excuses for killing that are alarming in their incompetence and transparent venality. Without ethical or proper guidance, and absent oversight, managers now spend their work hours lining up animals to kill. Nothing more is expected of them.
MCAS management under Director Erin Grahek, with her endorsement ended Pets in Crisis and Emergency Board, intended to help persons with emergency needs. Earlier the management terminated the position of homeless specialist despite the fact that a significant part of their demographic is disadvantaged, homeless or in crisis. It was very clear they didn’t care about their demographic or mission at all. They disposed of it.
T-Bone Jones, ID#380250
T-Bone was a friendly senior dog was taken to MCAS on January 2, 2025, after his owner was evicted and became homeless. She could not afford his care. There are available resources both homeless shelters and housing that permit companion animals and Pets of the Homeless offers assistance with veterinary care and costs that might provide an alternative to surrender allowing his owner to keep him. MCAS did not counsel her about those resources nor notify her of their status as a high kill shelter, meaning they would likely kill him, as they did on January 10, 2026. They killed him as “unhealthy and untreatable,” moribund/end stage disease when he was not. It was a label of convenience.
January 8, 2026, Rounds Review
“Rounds elects for [sic] humane euthanasia due to multiple comorbidities and quality of life.”
They killed him shortly after OHS rejected his transfer back from where he had been adopted three years previous. OHS is a private non-profit, not an open public shelter. MCAS is funded as an open public shelter and has Dolly’s Fund, a Restricted Fund legally bound to be used for the special medical needs of shelter animals. Like with many other cases, MCAS chose euthanasia before using that Fund.
MCAS is not a private non-profit. It’s supposed to serve the entire community. T-Bone Jones just needed a quiet retirement home. Many citizens adopt old dogs with special needs out of compassion. MCAS once had medical and hospice fosters. But the managers ended the infrastructure that synergized with Dolly’s Fund and ended medical and hospice fosters then kept the money they continue to solicit daily. MCAS is also aware of senior dog rescues and rescues that accept dogs with medical concerns. They did not contact them.
The managers reasons for killing T-Bone did not specify that T-Bone Jones “multiple comorbidities” were treatable and manageable and none were causing him pain. He did have a quality of life but they ended that quickly.
January 2, 2026
“… She [AO] states that he is good with people and larger dogs, but is wary of small dogs. Reports there is no bite history.”
January 2, 2026, Owner surrender notes
“Very quiet sweet dog can be aggressive to smaller dogs; lived comfortable [sic] no fight with another large American bull dog; does not bark at night or at home unless has to potty or wants to go for walking is his biggest joy very strong but loving animal.”
January 2, 2026, Summary Intake Behavior Observations
“Fear-Anxiety-Stress ((FAS) Observed Intake: Low FAS
Other Behavior Observations: Brought into Admissions by owner: Readily ate treats, social with staff. Tolerated all physical exam handling without issue. Repeatedly demand barked for treats throughout entire assessment. Able to administer treatments using treat distraction. Making vet care requested due to multiple health concerns. RR if cleared to determine pathway.”
January 8, 2026, Vet Notes
“P [Plan]
-unremarkable geriatric labwork; would recommend thoracic radiographs if pursuing a geriatric work up
-See notes from previous exam
January 6, 2026, Recheck exam
“- Heart and Lungs: no abnormalities auscultated
-Ambulation: ambulation x 4, no lameness noted”
The remaining areas covered by the veterinary exam were described as unremarkable.
“A [Assessment]
-Muscle wasting on head -R/O geriatric muscle loss, Cushing’s dz, MMM [Masticatory Muscle Myositis] less likely, other
-Overweight body condition
-Moderate dental disease
-SQ mass dorsal to anus- R/O benign vs malignant
-Skin tags on right metacarpus and left ventral thorax- mostly benign
-Mild dermatitis – R/O parasitic, allergic, endocrine, other
-Small melbomiam gland tumor OD [ Usually a benign growth on a dog’s eyelid margin causing irritation, tearing,redness or corneal issues typically treated with surgical removal]
-Ear debris AU, narrowed ear canals from previous inflammation
P [Plan]
OK for transfer. Otherwise Rounds Review to decide pathway
Since dog is geriatric with multiple health problems and our capacity is limited, euthanasia would be reasonable. Adoption “as is” could also be considered.”
The range of disposition options proposed by the on site veterinarian is astonishing from transfer to “adopt as is” (making clear that T-Bone was not “unhealthy and untreatable) to kill for because “our capacity is limited.’’There it is: Kill for space. MCAS’ long term policy that shelter animals not be killed for space was dismantled approximately a year ago when the management lowered the bar to accommodate management incompetence and failed initiative.
The “multiple health problems” referenced in the record were minor and did not require major care (skin tags, overweight) or easily treatable (moderate dental disease, benign growth on eyelid margin, ear debris). They are commonplace. They just require compassion and practical solutions.
It was just easier to kill an old dog whose owner could no longer care for him because of her impending homelessness. Now T-Bone Jones’ owner has lost her dog and her dog has lost his life. Paradoxically the increase in killing is occurring after MCAS added more managers. But more managers have not cured indifference to the plights of Multnomah County’s homeless animals and vulnerable demographic. And more fosters will not cure dishonest management either.
Gail O’Connell-Babcock
T-Bone Jones’ public records, Owner details redacted
Multnomah county animal shelter drops language stating animals won’t be euthanized for space
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/02/multnomah-county-animal-shelter-drops-language-stating-animals-wont-be-euthanized-for-space.html
‘What does that mean?’: Animal advocates decry Multnomah County’s euthanasia policy
https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/what-does-that-mean-animal-advocates-decry-multnomah-countys-euthanasia-policy
MCAS Founding Resolution for Dolly’s Fund and other Restricted funds
Oregon Accounting Manual Number 15.85.00