Erin Grahek was named MCAS Director in July 2022, a director for Animal Services without any experience in animal welfare, left all policies and practices decision making to the managers.
The agency’s service mission, education and prevention, including providing training to its shelter animals was subverted by the managers to what they preferred: A 1950’s animal control model where all animals are viewed as potential public safety risks and, if “flawed,” are dealt with by expedient killing.
Blaming the animals, calling their deaths “necessary” to protect the public is the new county mission. No excuse is “too small.” No incompetence too small to protect.
Owner surrendered dogs
Owner surrendered dogs are particular victims of this system. For $50, without questions or review, MCAS will kill citizens’ dogs. It has become a particularly sought after cheap service by citizens because ethical veterinarians and professionals will not kill an animal as a convenience to an owner. MCAS, funded by public tax dollars, will.
Louie, an 8 year old dog, is one of those victims. His owner was unable to find anyone to euthanize Louie for him after a minor “at-large” preventable bite incident caused by owner carelessness. It meant he did not have to pay for a $200 Notice of Infraction, known by the public as an incentive for “Your money or your dog’s life.” Since the owner was at fault for the incident, it was a great deal for him to escape fine and responsibility for an at-large incident that did not result in significant harm, described by the victim as bites or scratches after he yelled at the dog to go away. After kicking him, Louie bit him on the shin.
Finalized Issue Control Summary May 18, 2026
May 24, 2026 “...Austin expressed interest in surrendering/opting for behavior euthanasia as opposed to PDD Level 4, closing complaint at this time.”
Louie’s behavior did not meet any professional standard for behavior euthanasia. The owner left the gate to the property open when passersby came by the property and Louie did what dogs do: Protect property.
Louie had been Austin’s dog for 7 of his 8 years. There are no prior bite reports
“... Austin stated that his dog has displayed aggressive behaviors in the past and was looking to getting the dog euthanized as the dog was older and he has a third child on the way and is concerned for his children’s safety.” On the surrender profile he checked: “ playful and easy going with children under 10.” He also checked “playful greeting strangers.“
MCAS asked no questions, not even about the obvious discrepancy above. They have become an owner surrender dump site for owners who no longer want their dogs or whose dogs have become inconvenient to their lives. MCAS never investigates claimed history; never asks questions, never counsels on alternatives to surrender. They are just a one stop drop off and kill animal control agency where animals are abandoned by owners for convenience euthanasia, the cheapest deal in town.
This is what the public pays the county for: The disposal and deaths of healthy dogs simply no longer wanted by their owners: The MCAS $50 drop off and kill special.
Louie’s records with private information redacted
MCAS’ Asilomar Guidelines